I AM SO HAPPY THAT I JOINED AN ATTACK ON TITAN ZINE

The concept itself is Warriors!Modern AU — where all of the warriors, warriors candidates, and even some of the important people from Marley having a huge role in this nowadays community.

There are chefs, influencer, actor, businessman and businesswoman, star athlete, supermodel, ambassador, musician and so many more!

You guys can check out their twitter HEREreblogs would be v much appreciated! Thank you!

*Zine would be distributed in Indonesia with Bahasa Indonesia as the main language. But if we got a lot of humble support, we might getting it distributed internationally, who knows?^^

Ch.4 Enchanted

Chapter 4 of Cherry Blossom (college au)

A/N- :) Since this is also a cherry au, I’ll say this, this story will not affect Cherry whatsoever!

Warning- Swearing, angst, THERE IS A SCENE THAT HAS DOMESTIC ABUSE! Please be careful before reading! mentions of alcohol use and drug use, SLOWBURN.

Pairing- Jean Kirstein x reader

(Let me know if you want to me be tagged)

————

“Eric,” you call from the end of the street.

Said man instantly lifts his head and right away that angry look lit furiously in his grey eyes makes your heart begin to race, it makes you slow down your pace so as to not reach him so fast, it makes you tense and go unaware if Jean had actually left.

He didn’t. He stayed in his car that was hidden under the shadow of a tree. He was watching out of curiosity since you looked so frightened all of the sudden.

“Y/N,” Eric says with a huff. “Where the hell have you been?” He walks around his car to meet you at the edge of the sidewalk. “I’ve been waiting for you for hours! It’s fucking cold out here.”

Yeah because that really matters.

You swallow thickly and ignore your disbelief over his stupid question. “I was waiting for you at my parents house. Like we agreed.”

Eric feigns a laugh as he drops his head and nods before stepping towards you when you reach his side of the sidewalk in front of the Teashop. “Do you really think I’m going to believe that?” He lifts his head and his eyes land on you with a serious upset frown on his face. “I told you I was going to pick you up here! And you wouldn’t come out!”

You scoff and pull your head back in disbelief. “You never called! And you never texted me! We agreed yesterday that we would meet up over there because I was going to be there. You left me there. I had to walk back home.” You lied on that last part and hoped that he wouldn’t catch it for Jean’s sake. “I tried calling, I tried texting and you never answered me.”

Eric scoffs and takes another intimidating step towards you. “Well, you must’ve been busy with whoever you were with today because I did send you a message in the afternoon about my change of plans.”

Your eyebrows furrow and the anger that had swept in and mixed with the fear was now also seeming to be mixed with disbelief over how he sounded, because you never received such a message; you would’ve known if he did. And! Why is it his first instinct to accuse you of being with someone else…

You were this time, but it still made no sense how insecure he was.

“If you sent me a message Eric please let me see it,” you stand your ground even if it cost you every ounce of confidence within you. “Because I never received a thing from you.”

Eric throws his hands out and leans his face towards you, causing you to step back. “Are you calling me a liar?” He remarks, throwing drops of spit on your face all in the meanwhile. “Huh? Y/N? Tell me. Why don’t you show me yours to prove that I did send you something.”

You nod and pull out your phone to show him exactly what he wanted to see, but there was nothing but messages he left on seen. “See,” you snap. “Nothing. There’s nothing. Why didn’t you just call me?”

Eric narrows his eyes and stays quiet. He follows by licking his lips and furrowing his eyebrows deeper as his eyes lifted up to pierce into you to counter you. “You must’ve fucking deleted it because I did send you a message. Are you trying to make me look stupid?”

You scoff from the disbelief but you don’t argue, instead you ignore his stupid comment and walk past him to head home with only a dissmisve comment thrown back. “Goodnight Eric. We’ll talk when you’re calm.”

Albeit before you could even walk past the Teashops front window, Eric grabs your wrist and forcefully turns you around to continue arguing. “You’re always trying to fucking leave when we’re talking. We’re not done.”

“I am,” you rebuttal. “You won’t even try to be reasonable so talk to me when you’ve cooled down.” You try to pull your arm away from his grip but he only tightens it and pulls you towards him, making you stumble. Yet he made sure you wouldn’t fall so you’d continue meeting his eyes. “Let go Eric!”

Said man leans his face towards you and continues in a much more threatening voice. “Tell me who kept you so distracted that you’re avoiding my messages huh?” He squints his eyes and grabs your wrists harder now to the point it was hurting. “Was it Porco? Or his brother? Or was it both?”

“What?” You queried softly. “Eric, I wasn’t with them. I just went to do homework at my parents house alone.”

A scowl grows on his features and he keeps pressing that accusation. “You fucking whore. I can’t believe you think I won’t catch you in a lie. You were with them! That’s why you’re lying to me!”

The anger and the disbelief you felt completely disappears and now all that stood was the fear—“No I—”

Before you could finish assuring him that you were being honest, the feeling of his fist hitting you across the face cuts you off right away. It leaves you in disbelief again. It leaves you cold, it leaves you feeling a sharp sting on your face, and it leaves you feeling only the warmth of the blood that ran down your nose whilst your fear heightened.

“Come on lie to me again.” He seethed while he held onto your wrists.

You try to look away and step back, but he just held onto your other wrist and shoved you against the brick wall to keep instigating you. “I don’t want to hit you but you’re always lying to me. Be nice.”

Tears run down your cheeks and you drop your head, but he lets go of one wrist and uses his knuckle to push your chin up so you’d face him against your own desires.

“Oh fucking hell stop fucking crying.” He groaned, “it wasn’t even that hard you little crybaby—”

Right before he could finish the rest of his complaint Eric is suddenly yanked away from you and thrown to the ground. Your eyes instantly follow his flying figure and find the reason why he was so abruptly pulled back. It was Jean, he was now on top of Eric and began punching him as he yelled at him.

“You think you’re so fucking tough hitting your girlfriend you ass!”

You couldn’t even yell at him to stop, nor could you wipe the blood and tears that ran down your face as you stood in shock over what you were witnessing. Who should you even try to help?

Eric hit you, but he was still your boyfriend and Jean kept punching him with no remorse.

But on the other hand, Jean was defending you over what Eric did. He was being nice. You didn’t want him to get hurt.

However, Eric snapped back and shoved Jean off him to reitlate. It took him a second to really land a punch since he stumbled, but Eric swung on Jean and landed a hit. All while you stood unable to do anything but watch with your eyes wide and your mouth agape with words unable to come out.

“Why don’t you mind your own damn business asshole!” Eric bellowed and tried to hit Jean again, but Jean dodged and managed to hit Eric again. But even when he got hit again, Eric didn’t stop, he kept fighting back and landed another strong blow that caused you to finally yell out.

“Eric, leave him alone! You’re hurting him!” You want to walk over to him to stop him by force, but he snaps his head to glare at you and counter in a voice laced with venom.

“Stay out of it bitch, we’ll talk later!”

You freeze in your steps and all you’re able to do is watch almost dumbfounded. In that instant though, because of what Eric just said to you, Jean lunged at Eric and pinned him to the ground again. He kept hitting him, and Eric hit and kicked back, but he didn’t overpower Jean.

Jean was stronger, he seemed more driven as if fueled by his own rage. And it scared you, only because you feared the outcome because Eric wouldn’t give up easily.

That reason alone made you pull your phone to call Eren. And thankfully he picked up quick. “What?”

“Eren,” you cried, “are you home?”

“Y/N?” Eren said in a different tone of voice now that he noticed you were crying. “What’s wrong?”

“Please answer me!”

“I’m home! What’s wrong?!” He bellowed through the phone.

“It’s Eric! He and Jean are fighting outside the shop, please come down. I can’t stop them!”

The call ended right away and all you could do was wait. If you tried to stop either man, you’d end up getting hit so going to them wasn’t the best idea. And well, Eren didn’t take long either, he was quick to come out the building and run towards Jean to pull him off Eric.

“Jean, that’s enough!” Eren shouted, but Jean was quick to protest.

“And let him think it’s fine to hit y/n?!”

Eren’s eyes flickered over to you when he heard the comment.

You quickly avert your gaze however and tilt your head away so he wouldn’t see the blood or the red mark on your face.

“Well he’s learned his lesson, hit him anymore and you’ll kill him idiot,” Eren retorted. “Y/N, get inside.”

You ignore his demand and walk over to Eric who pushed himself to his knees, but right as you were crouching down to help him, he smacked your hand away and spit the blood from his mouth in front of your feet before he remarked your actions.

“Get away from me. I don’t want you to touch me.” He turned his head and made sure you were looking at him as he continued. “Now I know who you were with you fucking liar—”

“No Eric, it’s not like that—”

“Shut up and save your lies, you…” he pauses and looks away whilst he stands up to his feet. “We’re done. I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”

You quickly stand up to your feet at the sound of what he said and try to make him take it back, you try to make him listen to reason. “No, Eric, he’s just a friend. I was just tutoring him, please don’t do this,” you plead and begin to walk after him as he heads to his car.

Albeit he spun back and in that moment you flinched, thinking he was going to hit you. Only, he didn’t hit you, he did much worse. “Enough! Never talk to me again. You can be with your fucking man I don’t care anymore! I don’t want you!”

You stay where you are and feel more tears roll down your cheeks, you feel your heart break even more then it was already. Actually it felt like your whole world was falling apart. And he didn’t care or show a sign of remorse. He was just as cold as before. As always actually.

“Eric,” you whimper.

He only ignores you though and shuts his car door after he gets in. He starts his car and just drives off, leaving you on the sidewalk with just tears, pain and heartbreak. Rather than thanking Jean and Eren, you just turn and storm home.

When you walked into the hall before you reached the stairs though, Levi stood there when he caught you rushing in. You locked eyes and you saw him reach his hand out and part his lips to speak, but all you could see was the disappointment on his face even if it wasn’t there, so you just rush past him to run up the stairs to reach the house and then head directly towards your room without saying anything to Furlan, and Isabel standing in the living room.

Once you’re inside your room you shut the door, throw your backpack aside, and throw your shoes off your feet. You wish you could go to bed without having to get out of your uniform and having to wipe off the makeup that was ruined by your tears and the blood, but you knew you’d regret it all the next day, so you got out of your clothes first to change into something comfy to wear to bed. Next you proceed to sit on your vanity and wipe off your makeup with a makeup remover.

The one problem you did have was the blood on your face, you needed water but you didn’t have some in your room to use. And you didn’t want to walk out and risk being bombarded with questions, nor could you look at Levi in the eye or have him help you. You could ask Eren for help, but he’s helped enough.

So instead, you use the same makeup remover and wipe the blood off your face with a new cotton pad, whilst tears streamed down your cheeks and clouded your vision.

You couldn’t even look at your reflection in the mirror clearly due to the tears. Not like you wanted to look at yourself look….absolutely broken. All because you loved the wrong man.

Even if you wanted to break up with him, it really did hurt having him break up with you. He’s been cruel to you, he’s hurt you but it hurt you so deeply that all that you felt was empty. You should feel happy that you didn’t have to endure anymore of what he put you through, but it felt like there was a gap in your chest where he once was.

He ended your eight year relationship with no remorse, he didn’t even think about it, he just blurted it out as if he’s been wanting to do that for months, and left you with nothing.

Part of you hoped he’d regret his decision and call you, but your phone was silent and stayed that way when you finally turned off your light and climbed in bed.

Maybe he’d call in the morning? Once his anger has completely passed.

But morning couldn’t come quicker. Not because it seemed time was moving dreadfully slowly, but because you couldn’t sleep. You stayed under your blankets unable to find the right piece of mind to get at least some sleep.

To others though, it seemed like you were sleeping since you had your back facing the door and you lay still in hopes you could sleep.

“How’s she doing?” You could hear Eren ask the person who had opened the door.

“I don’t know.”

Levi.

“I caught her sleeping so I couldn’t talk to her.” Levi continued to tell Eren.

Yet he didn’t truly know the answer to Eren’s question because he was hesitant to walk in and actually talk to you. He had seen your light on but he walked off and when he came back he watched it go off. Which is why he knew you weren’t asleep like you pretended to be

“I’ll talk to her in the morning then,” Eren said, and Levi agreed, hating the fact that it was so easy for Eren and you to speak. He wished it could be as easy for you two to speak, he wished he could be there for you, but it seemed you were only bothered by his presence so he gave you space.

He’ll give you as much space as you need even if he didn’t know you ached to heal your relationship.

*THE NEXT DAY. JEAN’S P.O.V*

No. Just turn back, she won’t want to talk to me. Just go back home

Jean turns on his heels and marches back to his car, but as he catches a glimpse of his reflection on his window, he’s hit with more guilt than what he already carried. Besides, how could he be such a great person if he failed to check up on you after what he witnessed yesterday—even if you wouldn’t answer his messages.

So he draws in a deep breath and looks up at the shop with his decision made.

Yet, as he breathed out and began to head inside the shop, he did wonder why he was going to check up on you. You did tutor him, but it’s not like he actually thought of you as some friend, especially after what happened on Wednesday last week. Sure, he wanted to kiss you yesterday, he painted you; ON ACCIDENT! but he couldn’t say you were friends, no matter how crazy you drove him when you were close.

It was pity! That’s what it was! He felt pity for you! That’s why he was now inside the shop about to ask the tiny man where you lived so he could give you the bouquet of flowers in his hand.

“Hello, I came here to ask about y/n. I want to talk to her, but I don’t know where she lives.”

The tiny man looked away from the screen in front of him and met Jean’s gaze with such a serious glare that it gave Jean goosebumps.

“It’s not three yet is it?” The tiny man asked Jean.

Jean shook his head and rose the flowers to show him a glimpse as to why he was here.

“Oh,” Levi breathed out and then pointed to the ceiling. “She’s home. Just exit the shop and the building door will be on your left. Take the stairs and you’ll find our house.”

Jean gave his thanks and made a quick exit out of the shop to do as he was instructed, but that’s where the problem was, he couldn’t knock right away, he hesitated.

He should just go back, you wouldn’t want to see him after all. You just got broken up with because of the fight he started, and yes that guy deserved it, but he can’t imagine it’s easy hearing those words.

So with that in mind he did attempt to turn back, but then the door opened and Eren stood there in front of the doorway.

“Jean?” He inquired.

Said man furrowed his eyebrows and scoffed. “Eren. Why are you here?”

Eren looks back at the house and fixes his backpack strap before answering slowly so Jean could understand. “I live here. Wasn’t that obvious yesterday?” He chuckles and looks down the hall. “And well it’s the only house here. Duh.”

Jean’s eyebrows furrowed deeper to express his annoyance and frustration, but he didn’t give into those feelings and just asked for you. “Where’s y/n?”

Eren points his thumb to the hall hidden behind the barrier Jean was still behind.

“She’s in her room,” Eren whispered. “I don’t know if she’ll talk to you though, she hasn’t come out all morning.”

Jean scoffed and retorted. “And you haven’t checked on her?”

“I’m giving her space, and I’m going to class.”

“Wait, wait,” Jean interjected to complain, “you’re leaving her alone?”

“Alone?” Eren repeated in disbelief of what he was hearing. “Yes. She’s twenty-one. And Levi and Isabel are downstairs.”

“What if she tries to jump off her window?” Jean remarked. “Or what if she tries to—”

“Please shut up,” Eren cut Jean off with sass. “She won’t do that. Besides, Mikasa is coming over right now, and I also told her friends to come over. Just come in,” he pauses and turns back around to guide Jean inside to your room.

At first Jean hesitated for a few seconds, but he didn’t want Eren to say anything if he just flaked, so he followed him to the first door on the left of the hall. He watched Eren knock and then minutes later he heard you. “Come in!”

Eren gestured Jean to wait while he walked in. At that moment Eren opened the door a brown cat walked out and sat outside the door and just watched Jean. That’s all the cat did. It watched him.

So Jean instead ignored the piercing look and looked through the small gap Eren left, but he didn’t see anything, nor did he hear anything but whispers until Eren’s feet stomped towards the door that was followed by him appearing after the door swung open.

“You can go in,” Eren told Jean before he leaned in and whispered a threat. “Be nice or else.”

Jean scoffed and ignored him. He then waited for Eren to walk away to slowly walk in your room, right away seeing you sitting up right on your bed with a hoodie on that was able to hide your face, and then he saw an orange cat on your lap, and a black cat on a cat bed by the window. He wanted to comment on them, but you spoke first.

——

*YOU*

“Hi, please come and take a seat.”

Jean looks around then looks back to close the door but you stop him. “Just leave it open, Mr. Darcy will walk in and close it.”

Jean’s eyes snap to you and the corner of his lips twitch before he picks on the name. “Mr. Darcy?”

You stroke your cat’s fur and don’t find the humor behind his comment. “Yes?”

Jean doesn’t fail to notice your cluelessness but he chooses to leave it alone for now and focuses on the bouquet of red tulips in his hands. “These are for you.”

Your jaw slightly falls and for a second you’re utterly speechless until you just ask, “why?”

“l just thought I could bring you something to brighten your day.” He said without an ounce of shame or embarrassment. “I hope you like tulips.”

You blink and close your mouth. Your eyes dart from the flowers in his hand and then to his light brown eyes. Words are still hard to form from your disbelief of him buying you something, but you force yourself to snap out of your stupor by pushing your cat off your lap and climbing out of bed to grab the flowers. “Thank you,” you finally tell him with a sweet smile that was partially hidden under the hood you wore over your head. “And.” You grin. “I love tulips, they’re my favorite, thank you!”

It’s the first time in a long time that someone has given you tulips. It meant a lot that Jean managed to get the right flowers on his first attempt. The gesture made your heart swell.

“How…” he hesitates, “are you feeling?”

You keep your eyes on the vivid petals and you give him a partial answer. “I’m hanging on.” You draw in a small breath and hold it in from the uneasiness that you felt as you hoped he wouldn’t ask what you think he wanted to.

Jean hums and he keeps his eyes on you as he watches you admire the flowers. “Do you need any ice or?” He asks kind of awkwardly.

You shake your head and slowly breathe out. “No, I’m okay. How about you?” You quickly direct a question to him. “Are you okay?” You peek over at his face but don’t see any bruises. “It doesn’t look like he got you.”

“Nah,” Jean adds cockily. “He didn’t get my face, or at least he didn’t hit hard. I got him good though. He might have a black eye.”

You huff and put the flowers down to walk off to the bathroom. “Do you want anything to drink or eat?” You ask him whilst you grab a vase and pour water in it. “No one’s home,” you shout so he could hear you from the bathroom. “We could be out in the living room freely!”

“Uh, I don’t want to bother you, I’ll just go.” Jean said back, causing you to shut the faucet and return to your room with your head slightly ducked so you could hide the bruise that was covered by makeup but still faintly visible.

“You have a class soon?” You probe slightly disappointed.

Jean shakes his head. “No, not today. My professor canceled.”

You take off the wrapping from the flowers and place the bouquet inside the water, feeling your chest tense as you peek at Jean to continue your questions. “Oh, well if you don’t then you can stay, I was going to make breakfast, want some?”

Jean scoffs and a teasing smile appears on his face. “You cook?” He teases. “You know I just might. Just to see that.”

You snort and nod. “I am very good if I do have to brag.” You steal a glance at him and then guide him out of your room to walk into the kitchen. “By the way!” You exclaim, “I listened to the song you recommended, and I have do have a complaint.” You take a pan from a shelf and place it on the stove.

Jean sits at the island in front of the kitchen and snaps, “a complaint? Pft, I didn’t have one about your song. No fair, listen to it again.”

You turn back swiftly and point your spatual at him. “I’m a Tupac fan.” You retort.

When you turned Jean caught the bruise on your face hidden by makeup but still visible; it was formed above your jaw and just below your eye, the sight made his smile fall and caused his mood to drift back to anger for you over what the man did, his pity returned tenfold. He even felt guilty for not stopping him in time, but it seemed like you were happy right now, at least that’s how you presented yourself, so he didn’t comment on it or stared for too long, he made himself laugh and tried to answer with a bit of an attitude.

“Tupac? Please—”

“Ahh!” You interrupt him and turn back around to place your spatula down and walk over to the fridge to grab a few eggs whilst you talked at the same time. “Don’t be that guy man!”

“What guy?” Jean pressed without letting you finish.

You mock a man’s voice and express what you always hear from them when you say you like something. “If you like Tupac, name five of his songs and don’t name the popular ones. Tell me the release date and don’t forget why he wrote it. Damn, do you want me to figure out his social security number too or what?”

Jean chuckled and leaned over the countertop to make fun of you and the men you’re complaining about. “Thats fucking ridiculous, that’s some stupid shit! I am not that guy. But can you say his social security number, I mean if you’re a fan?”

Your eyes snap to meet his and you can’t help your own laugh from escaping. “I….cannot, truth is I only listened to those songs because Ymir listens to them. And Eric listened to them…too.” You go wash your hands and feel your smile falter at the mention of his name.

However, Jean made sure to quickly change the subject. “Well listen to Biggy smallz.” He leans back and continues to watch you prep the pan before he volunteers himself. “Do you need help?”

“Oh, I—” before you could finish Jean hops off his seat and rushes over to you to beat the eggs. “Thank you,” you mumble, feeling a warmth on your cheeks as he stands so close to you. “Do you want music? Or do you just want to hear me talk?” You smirk. “I think that would work better but that’s all up to you.”

“Oh you’d love that wouldn’t you?” Jean taunted you. “Please amuse me then. Actually tell me why Eren and you live together.”

“Oh! Sure!” You agree enthusiastically. “Well when I was nine, I was home waiting for Levi; the tiny guy that owns the shop, to get home from a business trip right? And when he comes back he has Eren Jaeger with him, which by the way!” You ramble as you cut things for the omelet and Jean works with the eggs, not even complaining once or losing interest.

“I had known him because my parents would like have meetings with his and some other people, so Eren would go but he was always so mean to me and he was…weird! But that’s not important right now. Levi just brought him home and just said he’s going to live with us.” You exhale and continue. “Well later it turns out that his parents had died in this house fire that’s why Levi took him in. Also his mom was close to Levi because they were childhood friends that’s why he’s with us.”

Jean pours the egg in the pan and instead of asking about Eren furthermore, he brings up the overlooked fact about you. “Wait if Levi isn’t your dad then why do you live with him? Like is this some social experiment where you—”

“Shut up,” you cut him off with a bit of anger. “I know what you’re going to say and save it.”

You didn’t need him to finish or to know him to know he was going to ask why you lived with Levi if you’re so rich and have a big mansion. He was going to make fun of you so you didn’t need him to finish his stupid commentary.

“Fine,” Jean snickers and continues to ask his question. “Then why are you here?”

You sigh and lean back on the counter since he was in charge of flipping over the omelet. “Well,” you begin to share. “My parents left me here. It was supposed to be for the weekend, but they didn’t come back until five years later when I was ten.” You see Jean meet your gaze and catch a frown form on his lips and a disturbance flicker on his face. “I was angry, beyond angry, as anyone would be after their dads didn’t come back, so I chose to stay with my cousin. You know he was like a third dad.” You smile softly. “He took care of me, he did everything for me over those years so he let me stay with him. Besides he was far more attentive than my actual dads, they were always having business trips. They’d leave me so I preferred staying.”

Jean swallows thickly and tries to excuse his probing he thought was stupid after he knew. “I shouldn’t have asked, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry,” you assure him and grab plates to place them beside him. “You know you’re actually one of the few who I’ve told my life story too, so I’m sorry I spilled everything.”

“I asked didn’t I?” Jean redirected. “It’s no problem.” He looks over at you and you share a smile for a second before he turns back to turn off the stove and place the omelets on the plates. “It’s interesting too. Maybe I’ll sell your story to the tabloids.”

“Bad press is good press,” you quote with a smile while you walk to sit across from him.

Jean slightly tilts his head and his eyes widen as if he had just heard something amazing. “Have you been on any type of tabloid?”

You smirk and shrug as you show off. “A magazine, and some social media news outlets on the mainland and the Island with my dads. “Paradis richest and most beloved family” and “the Charity ball of the year will be hosted by the Ackerman’s for the fiftieth year”. Nothing much.”

“Nothing much,” Jean scoffs. “Right girl.” He rolls his eyes and looks down at his food to begin cutting a piece. “Let me guess you’re doing business to inherit your daddy’s business.”

“Essentially,” you agree with a bit of dread. “I mean that’s what I’m studying for. It’s what makes them proud.”

Jean shakes his head and shoves food in his mouth before he speaks with his mouth full. “Don’t know why you bother, I mean if I were you I wouldn’t worry with all the money I’ll inherit.”

“Yeah,” you nod and don’t deny your privilege. The dread for all of it was brought by other reasons. Other dreams that were left undeveloped. “In the future I will get my parents’ money. I’ll be set for years. For life. But I do want to make my own money. My own way. I don’t want to rely them, at least not for a while. I want to….” You pause and look down at the food you’re playing with and share a breathless laugh. “It sounds silly, but I want to accomplish my own goals, my dreams by myself.”

You don’t know why you were so comfortable sharing your whole life story with Jean. You barely knew him after all. But it felt comforting, you could see he was listening to every word, he didn’t interrupt you and say it was boring. He was listening to you without complaining, yeah he did argue about things but it wasn’t anything extreme, it was logical and worth saying.

“I know,” you continue, “I know that because they have good names and connections that I have privilege others can’t, but I just want to carve my own path.”

“Fuck it,” Jean huffed. “Use them. Trust me if I had what you do I would.” He meets your gaze and you look at him slightly taken back and afraid over what he might say. “Yeah I know I tease you about your money, but y/n it’s an advantage, if you don’t want to do business and want to I don’t know, become a painter; use them, use their connections because they will get you far. You can build off them and make your own name after. It happens. It always does. You just have to be better than them. If you’re the same then you will always be categorized as such. And when you make your own name,” he points at the table to explain, “they will say oh I didn’t know her parents are so and so. They will be background characters in your life. Believe me.”

Wow.

Wow. Okay.

Your jaw drops and you just blink as you stare at him in disbelief. His face grows red and he averts his gaze by looking down at his food to eat while you stay speechless.

Lectures weren’t your favorite thing, but his was worth hearing. He was amazing and you couldn’t express your awe in any other way than just blurting, “have you ever considered doing motivational speeches?”

Jean scoffs and shakes his head, keeping himself busy with food.

“Really,” you muse happily. “That was good. I will take what you said under consideration.”

Jean smiles but doesn’t show it to you, rather he just deflects the topic. “Can I be honest? Yesterday I completely thought you and Eren were having an affair.”

You slowly tilt your head and drop your fork to deadpan. “What?”

“I just saw you guys arguing and I saw him come out of your building and the idea came to me,” Jean explained himself in between laughs. “But it’s clear now, so I am no longer curious.”

You’re about to answer with something else, but a knock sounds on the door and makes you hesitantly walk over to open the door.

And it seemed Jean was thinking about the same person you had in mind because he slowly followed behind you to the door like some bodyguard or some protector.

But it just turned out to be Mikasa.

“Oh, Mikasa hey,” you greet with dread and open the door halfway, keeping part of your face hidden. “Are you looking for Eren?”

Mikasa’s eyes flicker over to Jean behind you and then fall back on you to share the truth. “No, he told me what happened and I wanted to come check on you.”

Oh.Tsk. Of course he called her and gossiped with her.

What is she here to do now pity you? Keep your hands locked so you wouldn’t dare call Eric. Jean was mostly likely here for the same reason, but you didn’t have that close of a relationship with Mikasa anymore, it felt weird having her come to your rescue. No matter how nice her actions were.

“If you’re busy,” she continues, “I can come later.”

You sigh and want to avoid her coming in, but she was already here. “No, please come in. Breakfast?” You offer her.

“No, thank you” she declined as she carefully makes her way in after she takes her shoes off at the entrance. “Jean I didn’t know you were here.”

“You didn’t?” He remarks and grabs his plate to wash it while you finished your breakfast. “I’m surprised that Eren didn’t go gossip.”

Mikasa rolls her eyes and sits around the Island as well, focusing her energy on you instead. “How are you feeling?”

You shrug and play with your last piece of food. “Right now I’m feeling okay.” All thanks to Jean for coming to visit. But you wouldn’t say that.

“Thank you for asking,” you finish saying and stand up to go wash your own plate.

A silence while you’re washing your plate lingers awkwardly. Mikasa and Jean wait for you to finish, but even then you walk to your room and leave them in the awkward atmosphere until you come back with your sketchbook.

“I want to show you something Mikasa,” you break the tension, having no other choice but to do so. “Eren mentioned you didn’t have a dress for the charity ball, and that you needed help so I drew up some ideas.” You open the sketchbook to flip to the page where you drew down your ideas and placed it on the counter to show her, while you explained. “Regency Era, I looked into what Japanese women wore, but since you’re mixed I chose to play with that so I had an idea to mix a Kimono with a dress that fit that era. See.”

Mikasa slightly leaned in and Jean peeked at the sketches.

“Like,” you continue and point to one of the ideas, “this one on top. I can make the dress white, but on top we can have a red silk layer that has designs on the lining in the front, and then we can have some traditional Kimono designs on the tail of the dress and have it drag behind you a little. But of course, make all the designs subtle since you know you don’t want to be the center of attention.”

Mikasa nods slowly and breathlessly agrees. “I love that idea, these are all amazing y/n,”

“Yeah,” Jean muses.

You lift your gaze at the same time he does and he doesn’t avert his gaze this time, he shoots you a sweet smile that makes you smile back and hold his gaze for a lingering and longing moment before Mikasa catches your attention and has you drifting your eyes back to her.

“I want it.”

You smile at her and drag your sketchbook towards you as you ask for her reassurance. “If that’s okay, of course? I wouldn’t want to be disrespectful.”

“That’s more than okay,” Mikasa says with a sweet grin.

You close the book and avert your gaze as you mutter. “I suspect you’re staying here for a while?”

Mikasa nods without hesitance. “If that’s okay.”

“Okay, we’ll get measurements later.”

She won’t leave even if you asked, not after Eren told her about yesterday. She was your babysitter even if Eren hadn’t even tried to talk to you after yesterday. Why did he even have to tell her?

You put your sketchbook away and come back to the awkwardness. “So,” you break the silence. “Do you guys want to watch a movie, or something?”

“Whatever you want to do,” she says, only getting you annoyed.

Yet before you could try to answer her there was a knock on the door. You go to open it but then the door opens by itself and Porco and Marcel walk inside. Much to your dismay.

“Y/N!” Marcel exclaims with flowers and a plastic bag full of stuff in his hands.

Instead of greeting them with a smile you greet them with confusion. “What are you guys doing here?”

Porco scoffs and answers for his brother. “Eren told us what happened. We came to celebrate that—”

Before he could finish what he was planning to say Marcel elbowed him, forcing him to stop.

“We just wanted to check if you were okay,” Marcel says instead, making you sigh and drop your head to grumble.

“Fuck Eren.” You lift your head again and offer them a feigned smile. “Well then I guess thank you for the company. Come inside.” You turn and walk towards the living room where Jean was to introduce him to your friends. “Guys this is my friend Jean.”

Marcel walks towards the living room after he drops the stuff on the kitchen counter to offer him his hand as he studies him. “Marcel. I’ve heard about you.”

“Really?” Jean snickers and glances at you.

“Yeah,” you cut them off. “Because I told him I was tutoring you.” You glare at Marcel and shoot him a warning look. “Jean, this is my best friend Marcel.”

Jean takes Marcel’s hand out of courtesy and shakes it. “So you’re the twin.”

Porco lifts his head from where he is in the kitchen and remarks right away. “We’re not twins!”

Marcel laughs and walks to the couch to greet Mikasa before he sits down. You take a seat next to Jean but he stands up at that moment and faces you with a faint smile before he reveals the reason for the smile. “Well I should head out.”

You push yourself off the couch and frown at his announcement, you want to tell him to stay but he says his goodbyes to the others and begins to head out, causing you to walk after him without daring to say what you really wanted to. “I’ll see you next week? I don’t think I’ll be able to help you this week.”

Jean stops and turns to face you a bit away from the front door. “Like hell. We’re working on my schedule, remember?”

You’re about to protest but he continues.

“I imagine you’re not going to school this week?”

You avert your gaze and shake your head. “No. Not this week.”

Jean nods and clears his throat to make it clear what he was saying. “Well I’ll come over then. It’s no problem.”

You blink and feel your eyebrows furrow, your throat aches as you keep your words down, but you also feel your heart swell at his persistence. “I can’t have you failing while you’re tutoring me so talk to your professors or something.”

Albeit he was actually kind of annoying.

“I’ll try,” you groan.

Jean shifts to continue walking away but doesn’t stop talking. “You’ll do it. My future might depend on you.”

You roll your eyes but smile faintly at him. “I’ll see you then.”

“I’ll see you.” He says before he begins walking down the steps, letting you drag your feet back home but stopping outside the door and staying there to debate going inside with so many people.

You only appreciated Jean’s presence because he had witnessed what happened, if he hadn’t been there, his presence would have not been so welcome. It’s just…what happened isn’t something to celebrate, or be some pity party. No matter how much you enjoyed being around him. Even if you knew you would’ve hated the solace if no one had been here to stay with you.

So maybe that’s a sign that you need to be grateful rather than annoyed.

With that thought out you walk inside, but before you could get far you almost run into Porco. He seemed like he was just going to head to the living room, but he stopped and turned on his heels to face you and keep you by the door.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “That we came. I told Marcel that we could wait, but he was pushy. We can leave if you want.”

You part your lips and even if you did want to be alone, deep within you knew it wasn’t the best idea. Besides, they were here already.

“No, it’s fine,” you assure him. “Stay.”

Porco nods and sighs, his face not resembling any relief rather discontent. “Look what that asshole—”

“Please,” you cut him off. “I don’t want to talk about it. Truth is I didn’t want anyone to know. But Eren made a big deal out of it. So please let’s not talk about it.” You inhale deeply and exhale as you meet his perplexed gaze.

“Right,” he answers after a moment. “Okay. Let’s go watch a movie then. Scream, was it?”

You offer him a faint smile and nod before you return to the living room and sit back in your seat, seeing Porco sit beside you and that Marcel stayed distant, he actually hardly looked at you.

“Marcel,” you grill him. “Why the hell have you been avoiding me?”

Said man turns on the tv to search for the movie and keep his eyes on the screen to answer. “I’ve been busy. Work, school.”

“Girlfriend?” You press loudly.

“No!” He blurts. “No. I’ve been meaning to answer, but I really have been busy. But I’m here now aren’t I?”

You sink in your seat and keep your eyes trained on him for a while before you look at the screen as he found the movie and played it right away.

“Actually,” he blurts. “I did want to ask you something. On Friday why don’t we go to the beach? To lift your spirits? Mikasa tell Eren to come.”

You rest your elbow on the arm of the couch and glance at Porco to share a quick look before he spoke. “Marcel, no.”

“It’s fine,” you interject.

Porco throws a throw blanket on you and that gesture lets you scoot closer to him to lay your head on his shoulder while you keep your eyes on the screen to bring up something. A condition. “As long as I can bring someone.”

“Sure,” Marcel doesn’t fret to agree. “Who?”

——

To Jane (the Therapist): Hey, I just wanted to know if we could talk again. There’s so much going on, I began blaming—

No.

No I can’t—you set your phone down and bury your head in your pillow and just lay there for a long minute until there’s a knock on the door. Since there was no one home you have no choice but to get up and make your way to the front door. As soon as you open the door you see Jean outside with his backpack strap on his shoulder, and a bag of food in his hand.

“I’m here,” he greets you. “Ready?”

You sigh and open the door wider to let him while you drag out your answer. “I suppose.” You close the door and walk after him. “I’m waiting for Eren to come home.”

Jean walks over to the Island to set his stuff down and talk to the empty space in front of him. “Oh, is everyone else gone?”

You take a seat across from him and fix the things you already had on the counter. “Yeah, they left some time ago. But the reason why you think I’m waiting for him isn’t why I want him to get home.”

Jean scoffs and smirks at his screen. “Yeah I understand, he’s annoying. Anyway, I brought you some food from downstairs.”

You lean forward and grab the bag to peek inside it. “From Levi?” You ask.

“Yeah.”

You faintly smile and take out the things to set them down around the table before you got yourself ready to help Jean.

“So,” Jean continues and keeps stealing peeks at you. “How are you feeling?”

You swallow thickly and sigh while you look up and assure him with a smile. “I’m okay. Nothing much has changed since this morning. So I’m okay.” You focus back on the computer screen and question him. “How was school?”

“It was okay, it was just a dread though.” He groans and rolls his eyes whilst he grabs his sandwich. “A couple of boring classes, and just paperwork for my exhibit.”

You perk up at the mention and slightly close your laptop to fully face him with a smile that slowly began to grow. “An exhibit? What? That’s exciting when?!” You exclaim to know, making Jean blush and scoff, but ultimately answer with confidence that faltered.

“Next month on the sixth, uhm you should come if you can, I’ll send you the info later.”

Your smile slowly falls, but you nod in agreement hoping it was before the charity ball. “Okay, you better, I’ll try to make room for you in my busy schedule.”

Jean chuckles and nods. “Alright.” He meets your gaze for a second before he looks back at his screen and smiles.

His smile alone makes your smile return, it makes your heart race and lets you reveal what you’ve been wanting to ask before you started. “Jean, I wanted to ask if you want to come to the beach on Friday? Porco, Marcel, Mikasa and Eren are going to,” you sigh, “lift my spirits. If you can, you should tag along, you can even invite some friends so you don’t feel odd.” You tilt your head slightly and grab your own sandwich to wait for his answer.

Jean runs his fingers through his hair to brush it back, but the strands he wanted to push back just fell back over his forehead, causing your breath to hitch and your face to grow hot.

“Sure,” he says with a grin. “I’ll go. I have room in my busy schedule.” His eyes flicker to you and he smirks. “Besides I’m a mean volleyball player.”

You scoff and quirk a brow to taunt him. “Really? I believe you. I mean, tsk,” you suck in air through your teeth and look at your screen, only feeling him hit you with a balled up napkin.

You laugh and shrug.

“Well, okay, boxer, if I do remember correctly I’m owed a match.” Jean brings up, making you scoff.

“How is that relevant to you being mean?”

Jean takes a bite of his sandwich and talks with his mouth slightly full. “I sense your judgment. I just want to assure you that you don’t want to play with me. I’m great at a lot of things.”

You scoff and nod slowly. “Okay. Well maybe you’ll prove that sometime next week then.” You hide your smirk behind your smile as you lift it again and finish your comment. “One of us has to win both volleyball and the match. To prove something. Winner gets….well that’s to be determined. What do you think?” You lift your eyes over your screen to meet his light brown eyes that are gleaming with excitement.

“You’re on sweetheart.”

You exhale deeply at his comment and hide the growing and shy smile on your face behind your screen.

After that was dealt with Jean and you begin working, and that went on without any disturbance, you both remained focused and didn’t go off topic until well past the time limit, Jean was even helping you with some work you had unfinished, but then when the door opened that concentration was broken as Eren walked in.

“See?—”

You lift your eyes off what Jean is pointing to and feel anger rise within you quickly, Eren greets you both, but his words tune out as you hop off your feet and charge towards him with a scowl on your face. “What the hell is wrong with you?!” You remark, noticing he began to step back away from you. “Huh? Answer me Eren?!”

Eren keeps walking back until he has enough room to slide to the side to escape your rage. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about!” He yells back and runs to the Island beside Jean. “I just got home.”

“Do you think I’m some kind of fucking chairty case! That I-I’m some kind of unstable person who can’t take care of herself?!” You keep arguing, seeing he was now moving back away from you while you followed after him.

“I didn’t do anything!”

You feign a laugh and begin to run after him, but he plays smart and doesn’t let you catch him, he runs around the island to be at the opposite end each time you want to reach him.

“You told everyone my business Eren!” You inform him since he’s acting dumb. “It was not your news tell! None of it was but you opened your mouth and everyone was greeting me with smiles and sweet voices as if I’m dying! None of what happened was your business to tell!”

“I helped you! And jean is here so what?!“ he argued back.

You gasp and your eyes widen and you quicken your pace and begin collecting napkins and trashed paper off the counter. “Yes and so what?! What if I told everyone you broke up with Mikasa? Huh?! You would be seething?! And jean! He’s here because I’m helping him, because he was the only one who’s supposed to know! But you told everyone! It wasn’t your business Eren! It wasn’t!” You begin throwing stuff at him but he keeps avoiding it and starts finding amusement in the situation.

“So you’re not grateful—”

“Shut up,” you bellow and stop now since he was too much of a smart ass to catch.

“I helped you, can’t you be thankful?”

You clench your jaw and scoff, you want nothing more but to throw your computer at him, but you contain yourself for Jean’s sake since he had no choice but to watch your fight.

“I don’t want to talk to you,” you snap back instead and walk back to your seat to sit down and ignore him, not bothering to look up at the front door that opened.

“What’s going on?” You hear Levi ask. “Why is everyone screaming? I can hear you from downstairs.”

You huff and glance over the front door, catching Erwin walking up behind him. “Nothing,” you dismiss the argument that just went on. “Jean and I were going to my room to finish.” You collect your things and Jean has no choice but to do the same before following after you as you make your way to your room without looking at either of them.

However Levi stopped you before you could disappear in your room. “We’re all having dinner later. There’s no way out.”

You stop briefly and answer through gritted teeth since you think it’s about what happened last night. “Fine we’re almost done anyway.”

Once you’re secure in your room you drop your stuff and just throw yourself on the bed to look at ceiling and feel a cat snuggle up beside you.

“What’s with all the cats?” Jean deadpans, knowing that you weren’t going to work anymore.

You snicker. “I have a thing for strays. I do have two of my own though. The others are stray who come and go as they please. Cool huh?”

Jean scoffs and you practically hear him roll his eyes from where he was sitting.

“Now can I ask you something?” You bring up with less amusement. “Why are you nice to me? I mean you defended me yesterday, and I’m grateful. You came today when you didn’t have to and I’m grateful, but why is it that you’re nice to me?” You keep looking at your ceiling and swallow back the lump that formed in your throat. “I mean I know what people say about me. No one really likes me, I’m just a bitchy rich girl who’s got a crooked family. I’m boring. I’m no one. I’m an airhead. I’m fake. So why? I mean you even said those things about me.”

Jean stays quiet for a moment and each second he stayed quiet the more your heart beat, the more your anxiety to hear his answer rose until you felt like you were going to explode and have some form of attack. You actually thought he wouldn’t answer. He’d leave the deafening silence as it was, but he didn’t.

“Because you’re different,” he mutters softly. “It’s cliche, I know. But you are. I do have to admit I did think that about you, but I got to know you, you’re cool, fun, rich yes, a little spoiled yes, bratty, also yes. But you’re cool, genuine. You’re funny. You’re beautiful. You’re fun to be around, and I…well I don’t know…” he pauses and seems to be lost for words, it lets you sit up to face him with your lips parted slightly and your eyes gleaming with tears you forbid from falling.

“You’re not saying that because of yesterday right?” You croak out.

Jean holds your gaze and sighs as he answers. “A little, but,” he says and stands up to walk towards you. “I mean every word. I may have just met you, but I’m not lying, I won’t. Not to you. The day I do is the day we’re not friends.”

You grin and huff out. “Okay,” you whisper. “Thank you.”

Jean sits beside you and that’s it, he doesn’t try anything besides pushing his hand to be closer to yours on the bed; to the point your pinkies are the only things that touched. Beside that he stayed like that and just keeps you company in the silence.

That is until your phone rings. You check who it is and quickly put it on silence.

“Who is it?” Jean asks after a second of debating wether to ask or not.

You scoff. “My parents. I don’t feel like talking to them though.” You fall back down on your bed and hear him drag on the subject.

“They’re probably just worried. Just answer. You don’t even have to show your face.”

Your eyebrows scrunch together and you lay in the tense silence until you take his words for consideration with a groan. “No.”

“Well,” Jean huffed and lay beside you. “They keep calling.”

You turn your head to meet his eyes and shoot him a quip. “I don’t like you.” You reach for your phone and answer the call.

*LATER THAT NIGHT*

You sigh and slightly shift your glass cup to the side, you shift your silverware and then glance up to share a brief look with Eren.

“I’m glad the two of you could come along,” Erwin broke the silence that had fallen over the table.

“Well,” Eren sighs with a feigned smile on his face. “We were kind of—”

“We wouldn’t miss it,” you cut Eren off and offer Erwin a warmer smile. “This dinner seems important to both Levi and you so we had to come.”

Erwin shoots you a smile and steals a glance at Eren before looking at Levi across from him and offering a much giddier smile.

“So,” you start the conversation and grab your cup to pull it to your lips. “What is this about exactly?”

Levi and Erwin look at one another for a second before they look at both Eren and you. “I’d rather talk about this when we get our food.”

Eren shifts in his seat and grabs his wine off the table to take a long chug. The three of you around him pretended that you weren’t paying attention but you noticed his eagerness to drink it all.

“Why were Eren and you arguing earlier?” Levi begins to interrogate.

You take a drink of your wine and when you set the cup down you swallow and answer with sass. “Eren likes being in other people’s business.”

Said man sits up and props his elbows on the table to shoot you a menacing smile as he retorted, “I was helping you.”

You tilt your head and clench your jaw. “Were you? Or did you do it out personal gain? I didn’t need you to help me today, Eren. I called you because I needed your help, but after that you should’ve just kept quiet. I trusted you.”

Eren huffs and leans forward and opens his mouth to argue but he gets quickly cut off by Levi. “Enough, Eren. Not here.”

“I didn’t say anything.” He argues, his face twisting into a scowl. “I’m just reminding her why I did what I did.”

“And she’s right,” Levi hops on your side. “It wasn’t your business to tell other people what happened, it’s her choice not yours. You helped her last night and I’m sure she’s grateful, but you can’t just tell that to other people if she’s not comfortable.”

You hadn’t told Levi what happened, but you knew he knew and that didn’t take away from your surprise when he intervened without asking anything in return.

However, Eren stays quiet, his eyes fall on the empty space in front of him before he exhales deeply and looks back up at you to offer you a faint and tight lipped smile. “I’m sorry.”

You swallow your pride and smile back. “Thank you Eren.”

Eren fixes his posture and grabs his cup again to chug the rest of his wine and then serve himself some more, earning a concerned gaze from Levi, but getting nothing said to him.

“So,” you change the topic. “Work, Erwin, how is that?”

Erwin sets his cup down and meets your gaze to answer. “It’s great, but I did resign.”

You blink and scoff. “What why?”

Erwin smirks. “I plan on traveling for a while, that’s why.”

Eren huffs and leans forward. “That’s nice. Like a world tour type of thing?”

“Yes,” Erwin nods. “I want to see the world. I don’t want to be stuck here on this Island.”

You swallow thickly at his wishes as you feel uneasy since you knew what that might imply. “That’s nice,” you comment softly. “Very.”

“I think so.”

“The food is coming,” Levi interjects, making all conversation stop to watch as the waiters set the plates down on the table. To hear as Eren ordered another wine bottle after he alone finished the first one you were given.

You: that’s enough drinking Eren.

Seconds pass and your phone vibrates.

Eren: It’s not much.

You sigh and glare over at him before you type back fast—you: if you want to get drunk do it at home, we’re having dinner be respectful.

Eren: says the one who didn’t want to come in the first place.

Eren: I won’t drink much.

“Erwin,” Eren begins to say with a smile as he swallows his food. “You should’ve met Levi before. When he hadn’t opened the teashop yet. He was all business and no fun.” He snickers. “Like a military Captain.”

You take a bite of food and keep your eyes on your food as Erwin replies. “Really? Hmm. I can’t say he’s much different.”

“I can be fun,” Levi defends himself, making Erwin chuckle. “I’d build forts with y/n all the time.”

Your eyes flicker above your plate, and you take in your bite of food to chew slowly and swallow it down as you recall those distant memories. Ones linked with so much happiness.

“I’d have sleepovers in my own living room with Eren and Y/N, you don’t remember that Eren?” Levi continues.

There’s silence for a minute, when you look up at Eren you see him playing with his food, unable to keep a smile from tugging on his lips. “Yes,” he answers more genuinely this time. “I do. I remember y/n wanting to watch scary movies and then not being able to sleep at night. She said that some giant monster was going to grab her and eat her.” He snickers.

“She’d say, “Levi I can’t sleep out in the open”,” Levi bounces off Eren. “And we were inside our house for context. “I have to sleep inside up in my tree house so the giant Titans won’t get me.” He smiles faintly and takes a bite of his food. “She’d force me build a fort in our living room so we could be “safe” and then Eren would scare her so badly that she’d almost shit herself.”

You roll your eyes and share a dry and fake laugh in response to their story. Erwin laughs and it just makes you slouch in your seat and eat in silence and annoyance.

That is until you remember a story of your own. “No! Remember that time Eren got high because he ate Isabel’s brownies! Brownies she said not to touch!”

“I was ten,” Eren adds as if that helped.

“And you wanted Levi to hold you the entire time because you said you’d—”

“I was paranoid,” Eren cut you off, making you laugh.

The rest of the conversations went on like those, light, fun, tension free. Even Levi shared a few laughs too, he shared stories, he didn’t stay quiet and observe. Neither did you sit in silence regretting tagging along, no bad memory or bad topic was brought up that ruined dinner. No matter what relationships you all had currently, all that was forgotten for now as time seemed to go back to the times where problems didn’t make you all distant and a bit vain.

That is not until the expected conversation was finally brought up again.

“We wanted to share,” Erwin says with no sign of hesitation, or uneasiness “that Levi and are officially together as a couple.”

Looks pass around the table, silence threatens to become tense and awkward but then Eren and you grin and add to his announcement. “We knew.” You reassure them. “I mean it was obvious neither of you hid it well.”

“Yeah,” Eren agrees. “We knew.”

“Well,” Levi clears his throat. “That makes our next announcements easier then, Erwin.” He signals said man to continue.

“We are also planning to get married, and Levi is planning to come travel with me.”

The mood drastically changes. Eren chugs his wine and averts his gaze, whilst you grip onto your glass and look between both of them and offer them a small smile as you sigh. “Congratulations.” You raise your cup to toast to them. “I’m truly happy for you guys.”

“How long?” Eren blurts.

Levi shifts in his seat and clears his throat to answer Eren honestly. “We don’t know. We won’t return from our trip anytime soon though.”

Eren’s jaw clenches and chugs more wine he had served himself.

“Why?” Levi probes as notices Eren’s shift in mood, the tension in his shoulders. “Is that a problem Eren?”

Eren sets his cup down and brushes his hair back, he feigns a smile he directs solely to Levi and snaps back. “No, I mean you’re not my dad so why should I have a problem? Get married, leave, that doesn’t bother me.”

There’s a dead silence, silverware clinks, bells in the distance ring, laughter and chatter echo.

No one around the table moves but Eren who doesn’t seem to care what he said just now. Or at least that’s how he was playing it.

You couldn’t even find words to try and correct Eren, to assure Levi that Eren’s just drunk and stupid, that even if you had your differences he was everything to the both of you; friend, confidant, provider, father. Your words got stuck in your throat and all you could do was sit still and affected as if you were just wounded with Eren’s cruel words.

“No,” Levi finally breaks the silence, giving no hint in his voice that he was hurt. “Eren, I am not your father. Thank you for sharing your opinion.” Levi calls for the check to pay wi

Chapter 137 was good, (and here’s some thoughts) :

1. I hope someone dies, because absence of death of the mains in the final, dangerous fight is, in my opinion, a contradiction to rules of the SnK world.
2. I’m happy that Levi killed Zeke because of duty to defend the world, not anger or revenge. Zeke knew his sacrifice was crucial and made it easier for Levi to kill him.
3. Zeke didn’t changed his beliefs even in his final moments, but understood the importance of sacrifice. I finally started to emphathise.
4. Kinda sad that Ymir wanted to stay connected with the world which she knew and made her suffer so much. Still, she was born into this world, just like everyone else.
5. Return of the shifters felt kinda strange at first, but understable due to Zeke’s powers. Again, the scene with this freaking altar, where Bertholdt held them in his hands was too cheesy for me.

Still thinking about Eren and his absence in this chapter.

And what are your feeling about chapter 137?

Titans are eating humans because they want to go back to their human form

It was so obvious, I just realized that.

Their instinct makes them looking for the shifters among people.

It is so sad.

…

Gallirei dynamic in a nutshell - “What the heck”

little warriors

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marcel, porco & reiner

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Dedicated to my friend Pokko

Advent Calender door 22: Beru’s Christmas dream