When They Give You Random Kisses
~ REVISED ~
A/N: The school year is almost over, and I'll soon be able to write more!
Disclaimer: Attack on Titan does not belong to me; I only own Lyla, my OC, and the mini-stories for each scenario. The cover image does not belong to me, as I found it on Google Images.
~ oOo ~
JEAN
It was late afternoon, almost time for dinner, as the sun curled over the horizon. Levi had released all new Scouts early, which meant everyone had free time to spare until the food was served. However, several individuals were still tasked with their weekly assigned chores. You just happened to be on stable duty. Out of all the chores you could have been stuck with, stable duty was by far the easiest. You didn't mind the work, and, if you were to be honest, you loved the smell of horses, as it reminded you of back home.
What was also perfect is that you weren't alone. Jean had also been tasked with stable duty alongside you, meaning the two of you could spend time together without the prying eyes of your friends.
Jean confessed his feelings several weeks before graduating from the Cadet Corp. It was a surprise, as you were confident he was in love with Mikasa. But, on a random Tuesday during dinner, he pulled you behind the Mess Hall, a complete blubbering mess as he tried to explain that it was you he liked and not your friend.
His confession shocked you to your core. However, you should have explained more that you liked him back. Just as you were surprised with him, he was surprised at you. Jean honestly thought you liked Reiner, which caused you to laugh.
Since then, you two were nigh inseparable. You did everything together but were almost always accompanied by your friends. When you discovered that you two were placed on stable duty, you celebrated silently, which would be the best alone time you could gain.
Shaking your head, you focused on the task, loving the memories but knowing you needed to pay attention. If the stables weren't cleaned properly, you would face the consequences Levi had provided.
With the setting sun shining through the open stable windows, you had just given a bucket of feed to the last horse when you grabbed the nearest brush to clean its coat. You were so preoccupied with your task that you didn't hear Jean appear by your side. Glancing up at him, you smiled, knocking your hip against his.
"Hey, stranger."
He chuckled. "Oh, so we're back to being strangers now?"
"I'd rather not. I prefer liking you now than how you treated me at the beginning of cadet training."
"U-Uh, yeah…I mean," Jean stammered, cheeks turning pink. "But it all turned out for the best!"
You side-eyed him. "Eventually."
"…you're never gonna let that go, are you?"
"No way! You called me ugly!"
"I wasn't talking about you that day!"
You scoffed, brushing the horse before you, laughing under your breath. "I'm sure Connie loved knowing that you thought he was ugly."
Jean placed the brush on the shelf behind you, taking it from your hand. "I mean, I wasn't a big fan of his shaved head back then. I thought it was weird."
"And look now, he's one of your best friends."
"Just like you," he smiled brightly, causing you to do the same. The two of you fell silent, merely basking in the beautiful glow of the sunset. "Hey, Lyla?"
Tilting your head, you said, "Yes, Jean?"
Leaning down to your short height, he suddenly pecked his lips against your cheek, leaving your face to burn red. "I may have accidentally said that to you years ago, but you are the most beautiful person in the world." Stepping back slightly, he eyed you up and down before smiling brightly. "And you look especially cute today."
"Aww, Jean!" Smirking, you slid your fingers into his, grasping them tightly. "You're so sweet."
"Yeah, I know."
"You like ruining the mood, don't you?"
"Hey, I got my kiss. I'm satisfied."
"…you're such a jerk. Be thankful you're handsome."
MARCO
Currently, you are in the record room explicitly designed for the Cadet Corp. Shadis appeared before you one random day and tasked you with reorganizing and alphabetizing the entire room. It was daunting as there were stacks upon stacks of random papers everywhere. Folders were loose, documents were lying around, and the shelves were crammed. You had been working over the last several weeks, doing what you could to organize it as best as possible. You came from a family of merchants and had helped file records at home. Shadis learned of this and quickly made you the only cadet to tackle the room.
The task was uplifting and daunting at the same time.
Still, you didn't back away. Instead, you faced the room head-on with a positive attitude and desire to show Shadis that you could be dependable.
It was your day off from training, and while your friends decided to go swimming in the lake, you wanted some alone time. Not sure how to spend that time alone, you felt that working in the records room would suffice. You were still working several hours later, even when lunch had been called and served.
"Hey, Lyla?" Lifting your head from the stack of papers before you, you saw Marco standing in the doorway. He held a tankard of water and a plate of food. "You missed lunch, so I thought I'd bring you something."
"Oh shoot, is it already that time?" You quickly looked outside and noticed the sun was now in the middle of the sky. "Damn…"
Walking around the stacks you had piled, he handed you the tankard and plate, watching as you drool just by looking at the food. "You need to eat. Can you take a few minutes to yourself?"
You stood, placing the items on the table behind you. "I can, but I need to finish this first."
Marco's eyes followed you as you carried a small stack to the bookcase, climbing the short ladder until you reached the appropriate shelf. "Will it take long? You shouldn't avoid eating any longer."
"It'll just be a few minutes, I promise."
Facing forward, you worked on adding each paper to the correct folder and section. Behind you, Marco filtered through the room, analyzing all the work you had done. When you started this project, there were so many boxes of random papers that there was barely any room to walk around. Now, with all your hard work, the room is cleaner, organized, and categorized the way it should have been from the beginning.
Hearing footsteps, you turned to see Marco beside your side. "Lyla?"
"What's up, Marco?"
He smiled a beautiful smile. "Has anyone told you you've done an amazing job here?"
Giggling, you patted his head. "Shadis has mentioned it in passing, but you're the only person to tell me that."
"Wait…" His eyes widened slightly. "You serious? No one has said anything?"
"And why would they?" Peering down from your short ladder, you added, "Other than you visiting me, the others don't bother." Noticing the incredulous look on his face, you quickly added, "I wouldn't hold it against them. It can be quite boring here, so I understand why they want to avoid me when I'm here."
"Still," Marco tried to say. "You've worked so hard in here. Someone should say something."
His words caused you to shrug. "I don't do it for glory. I help because I'm good at it and want to help."
Stepping even closer to you, Marco pulled on your sleeve, your eyes moving back to him as you had just finished placing the last piece of paper in its proper place. "Let me see your hand." Confused, you obliged his request and gave him your hand. Turning it over, he gently kissed the inside of your palm. Peering upward at your slightly taller height, he said with a bright blush across his neck, "I'll say it again. You have done an amazing job and deserve the credit."
"Y-You think so…?"
He kissed your palm again, his lips lingering on yours for several long seconds. "I do think so."
Marco had to suddenly grab your waist because you had practically fallen over, swooned by the random kisses he was giving you.
LEVI
It had been an extremely long day.
You had barely slept throughout the night, leaving you cranky and irritable by morning. You tried enjoying breakfast with Levi and your comrades, but you were just so damn tired. Worse, you had training scheduled for the rest of the day. And, no, you weren't the one being trained; you were the one giving the training.
The new Scouts had just arrived, fresh from the Cadet Corp, and Erwin specifically assigned you to get them shaped up in preparation for the upcoming expedition. You wanted them all to survive, so you had spent every waking moment since their arrival getting them ready to head past the walls.
You woke every morning, tried to enjoy a quick breakfast, and then maneuvered through the hot sun lecturing the new Scouts. Some could understand the latest material and easily maneuver the formation Erwin established. Then, some individuals were on the slower end but were making progress. And then there were the remaining individuals who felt they were better than the others and did not want to listen to you. Regardless, you pushed on every day and could only wake up on time because your boyfriend was right there.
Glancing up at the sky, it was still reasonably early, but you decided that enough was enough. You wanted an early evening and felt the new members deserved it, too. Therefore, you ended their training and instructed everyone to meet at the field after lunch rather than after breakfast. The new members were ecstatic at the prospect of receiving a short break. They thought it was for them when, in all actuality, it was mostly for you.
When the last member left your sight, you dragged yourself away from the training field, ignored the mess hall, and made it straight toward your shared room. Gently closing the door behind you, you pulled your boots off and cleanly placed them off to the side, worrying about their actual placement later. Walking from the front room to the bedroom, you ignored the other person and flopped belly-first onto the fluffy bed.
Having watched the scenario from his desk, Levi set his pen down and leaned against the bedroom doorway. Though it was silent, he chuckled at how your body sank into the bed as if you were lying on a cloud. "Were the brats that bad today?"
You said something incoherent into the bed, not caring that your words made no sense.
Walking beside you, Levi took a seat and laid a hand on your back. "Lyla, I can't hear you."
Head tilting in his direction, you mumbled, "No, they were ok…I'm just stressed…"
This caused Levi's eyebrow to rise. "Stressed? About what? Are the new kids fucking up somehow?"
Rolling over onto your back, you shook your head. "No, it's not that. I'm trying my best to get these kids to understand the importance of what I'm trying to teach. Some think they're better because they were close to the top of their class, while others are timid. I fear about them going outside the walls in a few weeks."
"Tch," Levi breathed sharply. "Those little shits."
"Hey," you turned your head to him. "They're not that bad."
"If you're this stressed out, then they're fucking stupid."
"That's not nice, don't be like that."
"Like what? Telling the fucking truth?" He countered. Falling onto the bed until he was beside you, his hand cupped your face. "Why don't you call off a day? Clearly, you deserve one."
"Psh, you shouldn't be telling me that, Mr. 'I don't stop working even when my girlfriend asks me to.'"
"That's different," was his immediate reply.
"Ah! And how so?"
"Because I can handle it, you brat. You can't."
"…how rude." You stuck your tongue out at him.
Smirking, Levi grasped your chin with his thumb and forefinger and brought your head closer. Before you could say anything, he placed a soft kiss against your lips before pulling away. Your face flushed, turning bright pink from your forehead to your neck. You and Levi had been dating for some time, but you became flustered whenever he kissed you. His kisses were like heaven.
"Don't fret too much about this, Lyla. If anyone can whip these little shits into shape, it's you."
A sudden thought entered your mind, causing you to smirk evilly. "Well, if that's true, then I deserve an extra kiss."
The adorable smile Levi only gave you appeared. "What a greedy brat you are."
EREN
"Lyla!"
It had been over two years since you joined the Cadet Corps. You felt you were a reasonably strong soldier, working hard in all subjects given to you, but you were far from the top. Despite how much you wanted to be. Still, that didn't deter you from working your ass off day in and day out. No matter the subject - hand-to-hand combat, ODM training, or staying healthy - you did what you could to stay up with the rest of your comrades.
Today was unlike any other. You began your day sitting beside your friends at breakfast, trying to hide the blush on your cheeks as Eren passed by. You had been crushing on him since the beginning of training, and you were surprised when he confided in you after nearly a year of training that he had also been crushing on you. The two of you were happy, slowly making progress with your relationship, as you both had your reasons for wanting to join the military.
Once breakfast was over, the first training session commenced, consisting of ODM training, specifically with blade maneuvering. The day you started as good as it could. You had successfully taken down the titan dummies in your path, startling your friends when your slices to the nape were deeper than theirs. However, you weren't a person who boasted. Instead, you preferred offering advice to your friends so they could better yourself. Although you wanted to be the top cadet in your class, you wanted nothing more than your friends to succeed alongside you.
During the lesson, you jumped ahead of the people assigned to your group. By doing so, they were far enough behind that they couldn't see you, but it wouldn't have been a surprise if a different group was soon on their way.
With the ODM gear, maneuvering through the trees was easy, and you did so brilliantly and with grace. But just because you were good didn't mean you could prevent an injury.
"Lyla!" You could hear your name being called again, and just as you turned your head to see Eren behind you, you lost your footing on the thick tree branch, falling from one limb to the next. In doing so, your hand slipped on your gear, somehow snatching against the sharpened blade. Feet firm against the branch you fell to, you crouch, holding the hand before you to judge the severity of it.
Eren plopped beside you, a concerned look on his face as he saw the blood running down your hand. He opened his mouth to speak, but you only smiled. "Don't worry, Eren, it's just a scratch."
He scoffed, falling to his knee beside you. "Scratch my ass, Lyla. That's pretty deep."
"Don't worry, I'll be ok." Moving to grab the handle with your injured hand, you gasped, the blade dropping to the branch as you hissed, holding the limb against your chest.
"Let me see, Lyla."
Not one to ignore Eren, you obliged with a frown, handing your bloody hand to his open palm. Turning your hand over, he glanced over your palm to determine its state. "So? Will I die?"
He tried to remain stoic, but a chuckle escaped his lips. "You might if you don't go see the nurse."
"Aw shit, you think I'm gonna die?"
"With it bleeding like that, maybe. You'll need several stitches, that's for sure."
You groaned. "Fuck, I hate stitches."
Flipping your palm over, Eren carefully closed your hand to keep the wound as closed as possible. What caught you off guard was how Eren swiftly leaned down and kissed your skin, his lips leaving behind a heated peck as your mouth went slack.
"E-Eren…?"
He glanced into your eyes with a saddened face. "I said I'd protect you, didn't I?"
"True, you did, and I greatly appreciate that, but, um…you could also bring me a rag." He lifted a confused eyebrow. "You know…a rag might help stop the bleeding."
"Shit, I'm sorry!"
CONNIE
Shadis had granted the cadets an extra day off for the first time in weeks, and you couldn't be even happier. After training had ended for the day - surprisingly, the Commandant had also given you an early training day- you and your friends had decided to head to the lake for an afternoon swim. Racing back to the dorms, you, Sasha, Mikasa, Christa, and Ymir all quickly changed into something appropriate, grabbed any necessary items that would be needed, and met the boys outside. When the sun was high in the sky, you and your friends were trekking through the mountains to the pristine lake, where you would spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and having a good time.
It was about a twenty-minute walk, but everyone enjoyed the scenery and spent the time discussing training and what the next year would be like until graduation. You had stuck beside Sasha, your best friend, nearly the entire way, but by the time you made it to the lake, you realized how close you and Connie had become.
Reiner was the first to enter the water. He threw his towel off and screamed, "Last one in loses their bread tonight!"
Naturally, everyone dropped their belongings and beelined for the shore. Eren was first, followed by Mikasa (of course), Sasha, Marco, Bertholdt, Ymir, Christa, Armin, Connie, and then, in last place, you. As you entered the water, all your friends splashed you in the face, and you couldn't help but chuckle.
"Ha! I guess Lyla loses her bread tonight!" Reiner splashed you the hardest, wearing a bright smile. The others joined in on your laughter, and soon, everyone split off to relax however they seemed fit.
Appearing by your side, Connie said, "Don't worry, Lyla, I'll give you my bread."
You shook your head. "Oh, don't worry about it. Reiner wouldn't dare to steal my bread."
"Still, if he does, you're welcome to half of mine."
You lifted an eyebrow.m "Only half?"
Connie stammered, cheeks growing pink. "D-Did I say half? What…what I meant was, um…"
Bumping your shoulder against his, you smiled even more. "Just the thought is sweet enough, Connie. Thank you. If I lose my bread tonight, I know where to find you."
"You won't have to look very far; we always sit beside each other while eating."
The two of you grew quiet. Stepping forward into the water more, you wadded past the shore until you couldn't stand on your feet anymore. Instead of swimming, you lay on your back, floating in the distance, allowing your worries and troubles to disappear. You could hear your friends surrounding you. Christa and Ymir were discussing something; Armin was describing a titan-killing tactic to Mikasa and Eren; Reiner and Bertholdt were far off, and you couldn't tell what they were discussing, probably something secret. Connie, on the other hand, you didn't know where he swam off to. Twisting your head as far as you could without sucking in water, you glanced around, unable to find him in sight. Curious where he had gone, you altered your body to revolve, circling until you were treading water, your arms swaying slightly in the dense liquid.
"Lyla?"
Peering over your shoulder, you notice your other best friend. Twirling around, you suddenly ponder the state of your relationship. It had been several weeks since Connie timidly asked you out. Suppose it was the cutest moment in the world, remembering how he suddenly appeared before you and said he liked you. You instantly agreed to be his girlfriend, which has been bliss ever since.
"Yes, Connie?"
Treading closer, you could feel your cheeks burn, and you knew it wasn't the midday sun. You always grew flustered around Connie. He was just so adorable and huggable and lovable and kissable and -
Connie leaned over and kissed your temple, his lips softly grazing your skin. Pulling back, he saw the dazed look in your eyes, loving the flushed look on your face.
Covering your hand over your cheeks, you squealed, "W-What was that for?!" Even though you had kissed each other before, the action was still relatively new.
But Connie merely smiled smugly. "Do I need a reason to kiss you?"
Shaking your head, water droplets danced around you. "Well, no…" you said quietly. Fluttering your eyelashes, you decreased the space between the two of you, your whisper stating, "But…can I get another?"
It was now Connie's turn for his cheeks to burn. Connie didn't show it if he wasn't expecting such an answer. Instead, the bald cadet looped an arm over your shoulder and pulled you close. "You are so adorable; it's a sin."
ARMIN
With the second year of training completed, Commandant Shadis only increased his instruction to the point that it was brutal. It had been long initially, but now it was agonizingly painful. It had been several days nonstop, and you knew you would collapse sooner or later. So when a storm unexpectedly appeared and showered the cadet corp training grounds with thunder, lightning, and icy rain, Shadis could only instruct everyone else to train regardless of the weather.
You pushed yourself as hard as possible but knew the weather had taken its toll.
Although the thunder, lightning, and hail ended after the first day, rain continued to fill the training grounds. Shadis had everyone running laps, performing ODM maneuvering skills, and doing everything else under the hidden sun. By that third day of nonstop rain, you knew you were sick. All your friends knew you were ill, too, but they knew that if they said something, you would promptly ignore them. You could not avoid training, especially since it was in the last few months before graduation.
Still, you pushed on, hating the way your body trembled with any sudden movement, the nauseous way your stomach churned, or even the way your body burned and shivered at the same time. You hated it all and only wished all the pain to disappear. But…no pain, no gain, right?
However, as you were standing in the rain, listening to Shadis explain the next training segment further, you could barely register his explanation. The ground began to grow blurry, and everything around you seemed fuzzy. There were screams suddenly in your ear as you fell to the ground, but they, too, disappeared as your body fell into unconsciousness.
You awoke in the Medical Wing, tucked securely inside several blankets. Again, the feeling of warmth and coolness seeped into your bones, and you couldn't decipher which sensation was most pleasant. And yet, as you glanced off to the side, you noticed a patch of blonde hair sitting beside you, their beautiful blue eyes sparkling as you gazed at each other.
"Ah, you're finally awake." You tried wiggling your way out of the blankets, but Armin's hand landed on your shoulder, holding you in place. "No, please don't move." Obeying his soft order, you complied, knowing that if Armin told you to do something, you should listen. Because, well, because you knew he was brilliant.
It was then a soft sneeze breezed past your lips. Ever the gentleman, Armin brushed a soft cloth beneath your nose, allowing you to blow whatever disgusting gunk remained in your nostrils.
"Armin," you sniffled, your voice cracking. "I…I don't feel good."
He chuckled at your obvious statement. "Yeah, I would imagine so." Placing the back of his hand against your forehead, the male hummed. "Hmm, at least your fever has lowered, but it's still not gone. The doctor will be happy about that."
"How long have I been here? I don't remember anything."
"You passed out during this morning's training. The doctor was both impressed and shocked you lasted as long as you had with your fever. Lyla…why didn't you speak up before? You know Shadis is fairly accommodating if they have a reason to miss any sessions."
"I didn't…" You hacked, breathing labored. "I didn't want to miss anything new. With graduation around the corner, you know we can't afford to miss anything."
Armin merely shook his head. "Geez…" Taking hold of your hand beneath the blanket, Armin rubbed his thumb against your skin. You loved how affectionate Armin could be. He was such a sweetheart and a gentleman - everything you wanted in one. Oh, and he was a genius, too, which was only a plus.
"The doctor thinks you have more than a simple cold, but he still wants you to stay here for several days so he can monitor you."
"Several…several days?!"
"That's what he said." Knowing what you needed, Armin leaned down, suddenly surprising you, and dropped his lips softly against your forehead. The heat in your face increased, and it wasn't from your lingering fever. Unable to move, your eyes widened, a redness coating your cheeks. You were about to speak when Armin suddenly whispered, "Don't worry, I'll be here to take care of you."
You sniffled again, feeling tears in the corners of your eyes from his sweetness. "…the whole time?"
He smiled, smoothing your hair as you leaned into his touch. "The whole time. I won't leave your side unless Shadis drags me to training."
You tried to laugh, but it only ended in you nearly coughing up a lung. "You know…he might just try."
"Nah, I don't think he would. He is the one who asked me to take care of you, after all."
REINER
Having just graduated from the Cadet Corps, you were now a member of the Scouting Regiment. Although you wouldn't be an official member until you returned from your first expedition, knowing you were a full-fledged military member was still lovely. It was another training day, and you were assigned to work with Captain Levi. You hadn't been assigned to his squad but were commented by the Commander on your skills, and he wanted his best soldier to help train you for the upcoming mission past the walls.
Sitting down in the Mess Hall that night, you surrounded yourself with friends, those who had joined you from the Cadet Corps, and the new individuals you met in the Scouts. Your new friends were lively and skilled veteran soldiers. They were eager to explain the ways of the Scouts and what it would be like to tread past the walls. You were just as keen to learn and be helpful as possible.
Sitting at the table, you laughed along with everybody else. Glancing around the room, you saw most of your cadet friends at their respective tables, laughing and having fun. You could see Sasha and Connie, Ymir and Christa, and Armin with Mikasa and Eren. Even Bertholdt was there, but surprisingly, you didn't see Reiner. Where was your muscled boyfriend?
You and Reiner had been together for almost the entire length of training, so nearly three years. The two of you had been attached at the hip since day one, expressing your likeness for each other in the craziest way possible. Still, you loved the muscled blonde and would follow him to the end of the earth.
Deciding you needed fresh air, you waved goodbye to your friends and went outside. Leaving the Mess Hall, you were met with the stillness of the early night. The sun was just about to set as it cast an ethereal glow across the landscape. Colors burned red and orange with slight blues and yellows. Despite it still being early, you felt tired, knowing that this different type of training was taxing on your body. Though you were used to the physical exercise, it was the mental training you were still adapting to. The Scouts had to think meticulously in a way that you were not taught during your cadet days.
Breathing in deeply, you stepped forward into the open courtyard when a sudden, strong pair of arms wrapped around your shoulders and pulled you closer to their chest. Breath heaving frantically, you turned your head sharply to see that it was Reiner who grinned mischievously down at you. Sighing, you fell against his frame, head tilted backward as you stared upward at him.
"Damn, Reiner, you trying to give me a heart attack?"
He chuckled, deep and hearty. Leaning close to your face, he stated huskily, "Can't help it, you're just so easy to scare."
You rolled your eyes. Stepping forward, you weren't surprised when Reiner followed you, his arm still wrapped around your waist. "Why weren't you in the Mess Hall eating dinner?"
"I ate earlier. Felt like taking a walk when I didn't see you."
"So…you waited here until I stepped out?"
"Yes and no," he shrugged. "It just happened that way."
Smiling, you continued to lean against your boyfriend. You loved his bulky frame and how he could wrap his arms around you, securing you in his powerful, warm, loving embrace. Suddenly, you felt the hair on your neck brush off to the side as Reiner leaned closer, dropping his lips to your skin. The moisture of his lips was warm, and you released a giggle, loving the way his tongue slightly licked your neck. Pulling back, he dropped your hair back to its proper placement.
Rotating in his arms, you smiled. "…Reiner," you shook your head. "You couldn't simply say hi?"
It was his turn to shake his head. "No can do, babe. I've been wanting to kiss that neck all damn day."
Placing a hand over the spot where he had left his mark, you smiled again. It was so easy and fantastic to smile around the man you loved. It was such a hard, muscled man but held the sweetest character out of all your friends. He held such a caring heart, and you had seen firsthand what he would do to help his friends and comrades.
"Why my neck of all places?"
"Because it's so supple and beautiful." For emphasis, he lay his hand against the spot his lips occupied. "You always slightly squirm when my lips touch you, your skin starts to get warm, and you're just so damn beautiful."
"All that from my neck?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Hmm." Lost in thought for a moment, you snapped your fingers. "Maybe I should kiss your neck and see if you react similarly?"
"Ha! No thanks, Lyla. I prefer my lips, thank you very much." He heartily laughed, holding on to his sides, believing what he said was hilarious.
"Tch, oh, come on. Why do you get to have all the fun around here?" You pouted, causing Reiner to grab at your lips with his fingers.
"Because I love making you flustered, that's why."
"…no fair."
BERTHOLDT
It was an early sunset, and you were currently leaning against a thick oak tree, watching the view before you. The purples and blue hues mixed with the oranges and the reds to create a beautiful glow across the entire sky. Beside you, all quiet and handsome, sat your boyfriend, his arms laced behind his head as he gently closed his eyes. His breathing was steady, and you merely watched, mesmerized more by his beauty than by nature surrounding you.
It had been some time, almost a year, since Bertholdt suddenly asked you to be his. He had been super sweet the entire time and had shown you nothing but love and sincerity in the months since then. He was always quiet but calculating as if he was analyzing his next moves carefully. Besides his best friend Reiner, you were the only person he willingly opened up to, which made him special. Your relationship was special. Each day was a new adventure, one you loved exploring with him. Even if you traveled slowly, you didn't mind because you had Bertholdt by your side.
Dancing over at him, you softly called his name. "Bertholdt?"
Without opening his eyes, he muttered, "Yes, Lyla?"
Nudging his thigh with a finger, you poked his muscled thigh through the confines of his trousers. There had been one activity you two had barely partaken in, and you knew it was because of Bertholdt's shy nature. But, even you had to admit, you were growing impatient and wanted something to change. Even a slight change would be welcomed.
"Can you…kiss me?" He opened his eyes widely. "…on my nose?"
There. You had said it.
Kisses between the two of you were rare. As said, Bertholdt was extremely shy, and the mere thought of holding hands together in public was a hardcore no until a few weeks ago. Now, you were waiting for him to kiss you the way you wanted to be kissed openly.
You released a soft chuckle at the way his cheeks were growing pink. Sputtering, he said, "Y-Your nose?!"
Nodding, you smiled. "Yes," you answered.
Frantically, the man tried to think of a response, only able to quickly state, "But w-why?!"
Feeling dejected, you replaced your back against the bark of the tree. Knowing you shouldn't have pressed the man so, you still sighed. Your relationship with Bertholdt would take forever to be where you wanted, but you were willing to wait until he was comfortable. Yes, you would still ask for the unthinkable - even if it was a simple kiss - but you would gladly wait if it meant Bertholdt was in a safe place and mindset.
"Lyla, I…I…?" He was struggling to find the best words to speak.
You smiled, waving off his words. "Please, don't fret. It was a dumb question to ask. I'm sorry."
"N-No! It wasn't dumb. You have every right to want a kiss! I-I just…"
Placing a hand over his, you gave a slight chuckle. "Bertholdt, just admit it: you're not ready. And that's ok."
"But…we've been together for almost a year! Shouldn't I…be better than this?" His eyes were pleading, so you scooted closer, linking your fingers with his.
Sighing, you softly replied, your voice holding nothing but care and genuineness in your words. "Bertholdt, I still love you regardless. This relationship can not move forward unless we understand each other. You know I am willing to wait for you because I am here to stay. You…understand that, right?"
He instantly nodded. But you weren't expecting Bertholdt to scoot his body closer to yours. Blinking, you watched slowly as he cupped your cheeks, leaned downward to your face, and dropped the most gentle kiss upon the tip of your nose you had ever felt. Granted, it had been the only kiss you'd felt on your nose. But, so far, it had been the best.
Pulling back, the man was redder than a bright rose. He stumbled as he spoke. "I-I-I l-love you more than a-anything, Lyla, and I…I-I don't want you to h-have to wait on me for something l-like this."
Not it was your turn to blush like a rose. Cupping his cheek, you smiled brightly. Feeling guilty, like you had trapped the man into getting what you want, but damn, what a reward! "See? Now, was that so hard?"
Gulping, Bertholdt nodded, quickly mumbling, "Yes."
"But do you wanna kiss me again?"
"…yes," was his immediate reply.
ERWIN
Erwin Smith, Commander of the Scouting Regiment, was extremely tall. He was over six feet tall, maybe taller, and completely towered over your small stature. Still, that did not deter you from loving this man. Through everything you had experienced, both when you were a cadet and a new Scouts member, you were thankful that Erwin had chosen you, and these last several months had been long since the two of you started dating. Erwin was worried about the other Scouting members, thinking he favored you, but you didn't care. You wanted to shout from the rooftops that your giant, cuddly Erwin Smith loved you.
Still, back to him being so tall.
He towered over you, and you always had to tilt your head backward to stare up at his beautiful face. Despite not appreciating the height difference, you didn't care. Erwin was a loving man regardless, and you were blessed he had chosen to be by your side. It was no easy feat with him being the Scouting Commander and you a subordinate, but you made it work. Somehow, your relationship was perfect.
But there were some days his height pissed you off. How the hell was he so gorgeous, hardworking, and such a beautiful giant all at once? It made no sense to you.
You were in his office, helping the man organize his filing system as he prepared for the next expedition, which was planned to take place in just a matter of weeks. He was slouched over his desk, working on the place of the members in the formation as you worked at his bookshelf. Suddenly, he stood and moved across the room, opening the window, stating that fresh air would do them some good.
"Erwin, why're you so much taller than me?"
Perplexed by your question, he caught the man off guard; he froze just as he was about to reclaim his seat. With an eyebrow raised, the man countered with his question. "Why are you suddenly so interested in my height, Lyla?"
Placing the documents you were holding onto the side table, you huffed, cocking your fist against a hip. "I just…I dunno, the thought suddenly appeared in my head."
He laughed, only increasing the cuteness he exuded. "Well, my father was tall, so I guess you could say I inherited it from him." Appearing beside you, he patted your head. "You know…I could ask the same question. Why're you so short?"
You gasped. "Ah! How dare you," you playfully smacked his bicep as he snickered. "I'll have you know my mother was short as well, so I inherited that from her!" You jested, responding the same as he had. But then, your smile fell short.
Erwin noticed quickly as he cupped your cheek, bending down slightly. "Hey, what's the matter, Lyla?"
"It…" You peered upward into his majestic blue eyes. "It doesn't bother you that I'm half your height?"
He rolled his eyes. "You are not half my height."
"Well, it sure feels like it sometimes! You always have to bend over, and I-I, well, my head barely reaches your shoulders!"
"So?" He countered instantly. "What does your height matter? I love you all the same, Lyla." He smiled, tracing the outline of your jaw.
"I just…I dunno. I guess I'm a little self-conscious."
"Are you more self-conscious about your height or mine?"
"Mine," you said quickly. "I…I want to be your equal, that's all."
Huffing, Erwin rolled his eyes. "Oh, Lyla, my dear…" Pulling you against his broad chest, the man engulfed you in his warm bear hug. You fell into his embrace, where you were always welcome and safe. Stepping back after a moment, he cupped your cheeks again, bringing your face closer. "You are my equal, more than you think. Forget the difference in our status in the Scouts; that matters not. What does matter is that I love you. You are my partner, my best friend, and the person I trust the most."
Your eyes widened. "Even…even more so than Levi…?"
Erwin nodded a smug smile on his face. "Even more than Levi."
"Oh, shit…" you mumbled.
Cocking his head Erwin was lost for a moment when he smirked. "Lyla, you…this conversation started because you asked me why I am so much taller, yes?"
"Yeah, I did. Why?" He suddenly stood straighter.
"The answer is simple, Lyla. So I can do this." With your cheeks cupped, he bent forward to your height and dropped a delicate kiss against the crown of your head. Pulling back, he noted the adorable way your skin flushed pink.
"Ah, I-I see…" was all you could say. But then, you were a giggling mess, placing one hand over his as you squeezed his fingers. "Maybe…maybe your tallness isn't such a bad thing."
Erwin smiled, saying, "And pray, what made you change your mind?"
"Because…your height makes me feel safe." Grinning brightly, you added, "I've never felt so safe before."
At that, the Scout Commander dropped several more kisses atop your head.
"Aw, stop being so cute, Erwin," you cooed.
"No, you're the cute one, Lyla.
PORCO
Now, having joined the Eldian section of the Marley army, you could enjoy the massive library on base whenever you had free time. Considering that you were good friends with Porco, you were granted certain privileges, all things considered, by Magath, who'd grown to like you. Holding yourself against the ladder, your outstretched arm barely touching the specific book just outside your reach. Being stubborn and not wanting to climb down the ladder to move several inches to the right, you placed your entire weight onto one foot, gripping the wooden edges tightly as you extended your frame. Your fingers could now grasp the book's spine, eyes brightening upon realizing you could take it from its assigned place. Just as you removed the book from its tightened place, one of your feet slipped off the ladder, causing your body to fling against the bookcase, only then falling backward.
"LYLA!"
Having met warmth instead of crashing into the hardened flooring, you slowly opened your eyes to see Porco staring uneasily at you.
"What'd you think you were doing?!"
Having placed you on your feet, you stared upward as he grasped your shoulders. "I-I was just trying to get one of the books down." You pointed up for emphasis.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Porco said, "Tch, next time, could you be a little more careful?"
Your head fell to cover the redness of your cheeks, and you muttered, "…sorry, I'll be careful next time."
Groaning, Porco noticed your facade and lifted your head with his fingers, staring aimlessly into your eyes. Without saying anything, Porco dropped his face down and kissed your cloth-covered shoulder.
"…Porco?"
Shaking his head slowly, Porco said, "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I just…got scared when I saw you fall. I don't like to see you hurt…"
Wrapping your arms around his waist, you curled into his chest, smiling. "Then I promise I'll be more careful next time."
ZEKE
It had been roughly one year since you had met Zeke and about nine months since joining the military. In that time, you have gained the respect of the same people who respected Zeke. Since you joined, you have proven your loyalty time and time again, offering invaluable insight into how to train the recruits and even the smaller Warrior candidates effectively. Seeing how they adored you, Magath assigned you to be their overseer when training with weapons, specifically their guns. Knowing you had the talent, the Marleyan Commander wanted that same talent to be pushed onto the recruits.
You had fallen for Zeke during this time. You couldn't place a time when you realized this, but you knew that the blonde-haired Warrior had become significant to you. You had no idea if he felt the same, but you would survive as long as you had your friendship.
When you two had a moment to spare, you always went to the same park where you met and played a round of catch, ironically, with the same baseball. It was a simple pastime, but you two enjoyed it nonetheless. Zeke always kept an eye out for you on the days you had to train. Whether he wanted you to know or not, you did. You could always see him out of the corner of your eye, keeping watch over you with whatever training you had for that particular day.
Today was a typical day. Having just woken up, you quickly showered and fixed your hair, training clothes ideally in place, when a knock suddenly entered your ears. Not expecting anyone this early, you opened the door to find Zeke with an array of food on a tray.
"Tada!" He said, wiggling the food until a smile fell on your face.
"What's this?" You asked curiously.
"…it's food, silly," the man answered.
With a roll of your eyes, something you tend to do when around the man, both of you chuckled. "All right, dumbass, I can see it's food. Don't just stand there; come on in."
While stepping inside, Zeke placed the tray on your bedside table and immediately turned around. Before you could even blink your eyes, you were captured in a giant hug. "Zeke…?"
The man said nothing, did nothing; he just held you in his arms. Just as you were about to tighten yours around his back, the man pulled away, dropping a swift kiss on your temple. Lips lingering for several seconds, you could feel the heat on your cheeks grow and your eyes widen. What on earth was he doing…?
"Zeke?" You called his name again, but the man only shook his head.
"Shh," he said. Dropping one more kiss to the top of your head, the man let go, turning toward the food as he grabbed a small piece of bread.
Touching the skin where his lips had just been, you could feel your blush deepen. The man had just kissed you - kissed you!
"Zeke?!" You weren't sure what to say other than to call his name.
"Yes, Lyla?" The man smirked in your direction, though he didn't explain.
"Wh-What the hell was that?!"
"Wh-What the hell was what?"
Flabbergasted, you pointed at him and then pointed at your temple because words seemed to fail you then. "This! And then you hugged me…and then you…!"
Smirking, the man known as Zeke Jaeger knew what he was doing. All the while, he leaned against the wall, tossing grapes into his mouth. "Heh, it's called a kiss, Lyla."
Mouth falling open, you could do nothing but gawk at the man. "I-I know what a kiss is, you ass of a man!"
"Good, because I want to do it again." Taking three steps until he was standing before you, Zeke landed his lips against your cheek.
