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Despite what you've seen...you would never think of him as a monster.

“Hey, Eren.”

Emerald eyes glanced back at you. “Oh. Hi, (Name).”

The Titan boy was sitting several feet away from the camp, where the rest of the squad was gathered around a campfire, laughing and telling stories. Curious, you had walked over to investigate, and to be honest, the guy looked like he needed some company.

It was a rare sight to see him by himself — usually he was with Armin or Mikasa, or even both. The trio were stuck together like glue, and as far as you know, they’ve been that way ever since you first met them during training.

So why was he over here all by his lonesome?

“Where’s Mikasa and Armin?” you asked, sitting down beside the Titan boy.

Eren gestured to the forest nearby. “Mikasa went with Sasha to look for more food, and I think Armin’s helping with the horses.”

He turned his gaze back to the horizon, watching the landscape with a blank stare. Arching a brow, you leant back, hands placed firmly on the ground behind you as support. “And you?”

“What?”

Your eyes studied the distant mountains Eren was so fixed upon, a small frown curving your lips. “What’re you doing right now?”

His brows furrowed, mouth twisting uncomfortably. “I was just thinking back to the first time I turned into a Titan.”

Oh, that day.

You tilted your head. “Back in Trost, you mean?” Eren just nodded. “What of it?”

“...How did you find out?”

“I was there at HQ with Armin and the others. I saw your body emerge from the Titan’s neck.”

“Were you—...” He cut himself off, eyes finally lowering to the ground, and you glanced down to see his hands tightening into fists. “Did you hate me?”

“Hate you?” you echoed, taken aback. “I just realized that a good friend of mine was not dead, but, in fact, very alive. I was shocked, Eren, and extremely happy. What makes you think I hated you?”

Frowning deeply, he raised his voice, hardened eyes glaring at you. “So you’re not bothered at all by the fact that I can transform into a Titan —the monster that’s been eating our kind for centur—”

You cut him off with a swift punch to the shoulder, making him yelp, and you growled, “God, you’re an idiot. I don’t care about that.”

Great, now you were annoyed.

Even so, your strike seemed to derail whatever point he was trying to make and you were satisfied with your work. However, his eyes were still pretty dark, and you found yourself longing to see that spark of determination you often saw back in training.

“To be honest, Eren, I think you’re amazing.”

He tensed, and it was only after he turned to face you when you realized something.

Shit, you said that out loud.

‘Damn it — I didn’t mean to tell him that.’

Flustered, you hastily leaned forward, legs folding into a criss-cross. With an elbow resting on one of your thighs, you lifted your hand to rub at your face, desperate to hide your reddening cheeks.

“I-I mean,” you bit out, horrified at how meek your voice was, “Not only do you have the ability to turn into a Titan, but...just your determination and strength are extraordinary. You’re so brave too.” You managed a small smile behind your fingers, hands shaking. “Back when we first started training, the other trainees thought you were insane. Joining the Survey Corps, destroying all Titans? What outrageous statements, and I thought you were crazy as well.” Sighing, you added softly, “Still...”

God, this was terrifyingly close to becoming a love confession. You liked the boy, yes, but now was definitely not the time to tell him that. You were simply just trying to make him feel better, that’s all.

Even though you finally lowered your hand, you refused to look at him, instead fixing your gaze on the ground before you.

“You inspired me,” you murmured, smile growing wider. “Your passion was what drove me to work hard during training and it all paid off when I received the 14th rank.” Despite the fact that your cheeks were still burning in embarrassment, you faced the Titan boy, giving him a kind smile. “You’re not a monster, Eren. If anything...you’re a hero.”

‘At least...to me you are.’

Erasing that thought, you gave yourself a mental pat on the back, hoping that you’d managed to lift your friend’s spirits somewhat.

Eren’s mouth was hanging open, green eyes wide in shock, and after a few seconds of him not saying anything, you wondered if you had told him too much.

Your confidence was waning now. “Shit, sorry, that was really weird, wasn’t it?” You drew away and turned your back to him, running a hand through your hair nervously, bottom lip drawn between your teeth. “Just forget what I said.”

A hand touched your shoulder. “No, it’s okay. I...” You turned to see Eren staring back at you, lips set in a firm line, but...

...Was he blushing?

He hesitated, shoulders shaking, and you almost gasped when he carefully took your hand in his. “Thank you, (Name).”

You stared down at your joined hands, feeling your own blush deepen. “N-No problem...”

When you looked up again, you caught Eren’s gaze on you, and his face burned even brighter, before he slumped over, letting go of you to cover his face with both hands.

He groaned too, as if he was in pain.

“Eren?” you murmured under your breath, confused. “Are you alright?”

He shook his head. “Sorry, sorry, it’s just...” He chuckled, spreading his fingers slightly to peer back at you behind his hands, and your heart lurched. His lips had formed the biggest smile, bright and incredibly heart-melting, and those soft green eyes staring at you made you blush even more. “I’m really happy right now,” he muttered.

Damn him for being so good-looking.

Still, you grinned back at him, no longer fighting the strange giddiness you felt. “Yeah. Me too.”

‘This is a stupid idea, but seeing as we might die any time soon...’

Summoning up all your courage, you said, “Hey, Eren.”

He responded with a quiet “hm?” but you had already leaned forward, eyes closed, and your lips briefly brushed his cheek.

“If it’s not obvious yet,” you whispered, your heart thudding against your chest, “I kinda like you.”

This time as you drew back, your gaze never left his face, watching as he stared back at you in awe, hand lifted to his cheek and his eyes wavering. His cheeks reddened even more, practically burning as if he was on fire.

That was when you saw the steam rising from his skin.

“...Eren?”

That was all you could get out before the explosion.

Crying out, you tried to block the intense heat from your face with your arms, but you were easily thrown away by the harsh gales, flying through the air like a rag doll. You landed several yards away, the impact jolting, and you bit out a pained yelp before you continued to roll across the field, the hard ground bruising your body. When you finally came to a stop, your limbs were practically throbbing with pain, and you knew that you’d be feeling sore for the rest of the day.

Releasing a small groan, you pushed yourself up on all fours, recognizing Corporal Levi’s angry shouts coming from the direction of the camp, along with the frantic neighing of the squad’s horses and the other soldiers’ confused yelling.

Through all the clamor though, you heard a loud, familiar groan from above, before you found yourself scooped up by two large hands. In any other situation, you would’ve thought a Titan was about to eat you, but the deep, almost affectionate purr you felt and the gentle movements only made you smile.

Eren stared down at you in his Titan form, emerald eyes watching you closely, and he released a small, concerned moan.

Laughing, you gave his palm an assuring pat. “It’s fine —I’m okay.”

“(Last Name)! What the fuck happened?!”

Leaning to peer over Eren’s thumb, you saw an angry Corporal standing below with the others, most of them already equipped with their 3DMG. His brows twitched in aggravation as he glared up at the two of you.

“Sorry, Corporal!” you shouted, waving your arm sheepishly. “Eren had a...a malfunction!”

Levi’s eyes narrowed, lips twisting into a scowl. “Malfunction, my ass. Eren, you’ve got five minutes to leave your form, or I’ll cut you out myself.”

Then he turned around to storm back to camp, his cape flowing behind him, and you sighed in relief as you and Eren watched the short man leave.

Eren made another whine-like noise, turning his head to look down at you with worried eyes, and you shook your head. “He wouldn’t do that...I think?” He just stared at you, and you chuckled nervously. “Anyway, you should probably...” The hands holding you moved suddenly, causing you to trail off as you were lifted to Eren’s face. To be honest, you were a bit anxious being this close.

From here, you could see nothing but him.

But you weren’t scared...and judging by the way he was watching you, that was what Eren wanted to see for himself.

Smiling, you stood up and reached out a hand to rest your palm against the Titan’s nose, ignoring the heat of his breath that swept over you. He tensed a bit, caught unawares, and your smile broadened.

“Like I said,” you told him, eyes softening as you lifted your other hand to brush over his cheek, “You’re not a monster, Eren.”

He growled affectionately, the vibration rumbling, and your heart swelled when you saw him close his eyes, nudging his face into your hands even more, almost knocking you off your feet in the process.

“By the way,” you drawled, watching as he lazily opened one eye to look at you. You grinned back at him. “Judging by your reaction earlier, is it safe to say that the feeling’s mutual?”

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw one of his pointy ears twitch, and your answer was a small growl while he gently nuzzled you.

You just chuckled, stretching your arms out as far as they could go to embrace the Titan’s face in a hug.

‘I’ll take that as a yes, then.’