commander, please
Chapter 4
commander!eren x scout!reader
Story's Summary: Your Commander was never one to let loose or lose control. You admire him for his strength and commitment. He's determined, cold, and strict, which makes him almost unapproachable.
But after you're forced to come under his command, the mask he has built for himself throughout the years slowly starts to fall apart.
── .✦
Chapter's summary: You and Mina run into Jean, Sasha, and Connie near the training field. After some loud conversation and Floch being yelled at, you suddenly notice that Eren is walking toward you with Floch.
Because of your spicy remark, you’ve earned yourself a hand-to-hand fight with Eren, and he is not holding back at all.
warnings: unrestrained fighting
words: 6k+
Chapter 4: training field
After Eren finally let go with a sharper shove, you stumbled back a step and instinctively straightened the top of your shirt.
The second you looked down, you realized exactly which part of your uniform he had been gripping. The same part that had been splattered with horse shit not that long ago.
Your lips pressed into a thin line as you fought hard not to show any obvious reaction.
Honestly... you could not even feel angry anymore.
Seeing him grab the filthy part of your shirt like that almost felt like karma somehow; payback for being such an ass to you all day.
A quiet breath escaped through your nose as you steadied yourself before lifting your eyes back to him.
Eren gave you one final look, his gaze sweeping over you carefully for a brief second. Then he turned back toward his horse without another thought.
"Get out of here," he muttered. "And wash up. You smell like shit."
...Yeah, about that.
"Yes, Sir." you answered in a quieter voice.
Then you turned toward the stable entrance and finally left the building behind.
Sometimes you found yourself wondering whether this man had any trace of empathy buried somewhere inside him at all, or even basic human decency.
Obviosly, sure... he kills Titans for humanity. That part made sense. But as one person to another... Sometimes you genuinely weren't sure.
Then again, he was Commander Armin's closest friend. So there had to be something in him.
Or maybe there used to be, and somewhere along the way he'd lost it. You couldn't tell, and you weren't sure either why were you wondering about these things.
And then there was Mikasa Ackerman. Probably the only superior officer you genuinely looked up to.
The three of them were always together.
Every time you caught sight of them standing side by side, it looked like something straight out of a story-some impossibly cool, heroic and unshakable unit no one could ever break apart.
Like no matter what the world threw at them, they'd still be standing there shoulder to shoulder.
Sometimes you wondered if one day you, Mina, and Theo would end up like that too.
A team people looked at the same way. Just... with Theo heavily outnumbered.
After that day, the next few days passed rather uneventfully. There were no expeditions scheduled, and naturally, everyone needed time to recover and process everything that had happened. Especially the new recruits-it always hit them the hardest.
You still remembered how long you spent replaying your first mission in your head. Watching people die... watching Titans tear into them while they were still alive. It was traumatizing.
After all, hat was simply the kind of world you lived in.
But after three years in the Survey Corps, you had grown used to it. Or at least, as used to it as anyone could.
Truthfully, you didn't let too many people get close. If someone's life ended in tragedy - and in the Scouts, it often did - you knew it would eat you alive from the inside. So you kept your circle small. It was easier that way. The safer way.
You couldn't afford to grow deeply attached to everyone around you.
Mina and Theo were the exceptions.
Mina was your best friend. Theo was the next person who had managed to get close enough to break through your walls.
Of course, there were others too. You weren't some quiet loner hiding in the corner.
If anything, you had a real talent for making enemies when you wanted to. But that was beside the point.
This day you finally had a day off.
That morning, you and Mina wandered out toward the training grounds purely out of boredom. The place where the Scouts were currently stationed had a smaller open field nearby; almost perfect for close combat practice or ODM gear training. There were no cadets here anymore, of course, but plenty of soldiers still trained on their own. Self-improvement never really stopped.
You trained too. You still wanted to become stronger. That goal had never left your mind.
"I'm so bored. We should go somewhere." Mina complained as she walked beside you.
"Where exactly do you want to go?" you asked.
"I don't know. Deeper into town maybe. They hold markets all the time, we could look around for a while." Mina spoke with animated gestures, moving her hands as she explained.
"You want to go shopping?" you stared ahead.
As you rounded the edge of the building, the training field came into view. A few soldiers were sparring, some running laps or practicing drills, while others crouched near their ODM gear making repairs.
"Yes, because I've been rotating the same two damn shirts for a week." Mina grumbled.
That earned a laugh from you. "I think most soldiers are dealing with the same problem."
"Maybe they are, but I don't want to spend my normal days walking around in shirts soaked with three days of sweat."
You snorted quietly. "Even if you wanted more, we barely get paid enough for this miserable job," you muttered, brows pulling together. "And somehow we're still expected to throw our lives away out there."
It was unfair. Meanwhile, the Military Police lived comfortably like nobles. And most of the time they were useless on top of that.
"Ugh, I'm not trying to buy out the entire market," Mina said. "I just need one new shirt. One of mine's already starting to wear thin."
"But do you actually have enough money for it?" you asked, your voice quieter now because of how serious the topic was. "You're already sending part of your pay back home."
"I do. For now..." Mina muttered, though she didn't sound fully convinced herself.
"I already sent home what I could from this month's pay. But I've been trying to save a little for myself too." She gave a small shrug. "That's kind of the whole reason. So I can buy something for myself every now and then."
Your heart softened at that.
"And my oldest little brother already enrolled in military training," she continued. "Once he finishes, he'll decide where he wants to go. And if he starts earning too... it'll help."
Mina worked hard, and she was always careful with her money. It was rare for her to be the one suggesting "come on, let's go somewhere".
You honestly hated how difficult things were for her family. The money she earned - and the portion she sent back home - had definitely helped. At least enough to ease things a little. But nowhere near enough to make everything feel stable.
You were an only child yourself. Both of your parents worked, so things at home had never been bad enough for you to send money back.
Of course, if they ever needed help, you would.
And more than once, you had offered Mina part of your own pay to help her family.
Every single time, she turned you down. Saying the same thing every time. "You worked just as hard for it as I did. Don't waste your money on me." Which is weird, because it wouldn't feel like "wasting" to you.
Maybe once she had actually accepted your help. But other than that, she always insisted on handling things herself. She wanted to stay independent.
Still... putting everything else aside Mina deserved to buy herself something nice or useful.
You sighed, tilting your head with a faint smile. "Alright, alright. We'll go. Maybe I'll look for something too." At that Mina giggled and almost jumped up from joy with an ear to ear grin.
Truthfully... you probably needed it too.
That was another frustrating part of living like this; you barely had the chance to dress like anything other than a soldier.
Not that you'd ever cared much about fashion. But every now and then, you remembered that you were still a woman.
And sometimes you wanted to feel like one.
Even the thought of wearing a skirt or a sleeveless blouse made heat creep onto your face with embarrassment.
You had never been particularly fond of skirts. But sometimes, when you saw other girls wearing them, you caught yourself feeling a little jealous.
Maybe a small change wouldn't hurt. Or maybe you were about to find out.
Your train of thought and the pleasant little walk with Mina was suddenly interrupted by a loud shout.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite soldiers!"
The voice rang out from behind you. When you turned around, you spotted Connie waving wildly with a huge grin spread across his face. Sasha and Jean were walking beside him.
They were the only ones who never insisted on formal titles. Unlike Eren or Mikasa. And Armin of course, but he's the Commander so it's a must to be respectful towards him.
Jean technically expected it too... but Sasha and Connie were easygoing enough to ignore rank whenever they felt like it. You liked them a lot.
And luckily, they seemed to like you just as much.
"No way! I haven't seen you since before the last expedition!" Sasha called as the three of them closed the distance between you.
"Connie! Sasha!" you greeted with a smile, Mina doing the same beside you.
"It's been forever!" Mina added happily.
The second they reached you, Connie lifted a hand and immediately ruffled your hair with a laugh.
You grumbled under your breath and slapped his hand away.
"Wait a second - weren't other people your favorites last week?" Mina raised a brow at Connie, clearly amused.
Connie straightened dramatically and reached behind his neck to scratch at it, suddenly looking a little guilty. "That was different," he defended himself. "They brought bread."
"Ahh, so that's all it takes to steal the title of 'favorite.'" You clicked your tongue and crossed your arms, pretending to look offended.
"The bread was important," Sasha added immediately, raising a finger like she was making a very serious point. "Basically life-saving. We were starving."
You looked between them. "Do either of you even remember their names?"
"Uh..." Connie muttered, resting a hand against his chin while staring up at the sky in deep concentration. "It was something... something... C... Co..."
"Right, right..." Sasha joined in, thinking just as hard. "Col-yes! Collin!"
Connie snapped his fingers. "Ah, yeah! Exactly. My brother, my friend, Collin. That's right." He laughed like he'd known the answer the whole time.
God.
They could be such idiots sometimes. But honestly, that was exactly what you liked most about them.
Whether it was an ordinary dull day at headquarters or an expedition beyond the Walls - Connie and Sasha always had a way of making things feel lighter.
Their ridiculous comments and occasional lack of common sense somehow managed to cut through the heaviness of everyday life in the Survey Corps - turning even the dullest moments into something worth remembering.
"Hey. Am I invisible now?" Jean asked in a more composed voice, stepping around Sasha until all of you stood in a loose circle in the middle of the field.
"Good morning, Sir." Mina greeted, her smile fading just enough as she raised a salute.
You followed her lead, though not without a tired sigh. "Sir."
Jean waved a hand dismissively. "That's enough. I'm not in the mood to pretend I'm above everyone today." He looked slightly irritated. And beneath his eyes, you noticed darker circles than usual.
Mina and you immediately lowered your hands the second Jean gave you permission to drop the formalities.
"Wow, seriously? But you're so good at acting all official, Jean," You teased, folding your arms over your chest.
Jean huffed and ran a hand through his mullet, lifting his chin slightly. "Well, what can I say?" he muttered. "Some women appreciate a man who's decisive... someone discipline practically radiates off of."
That was such a typical Jean thing to say.
From everything you'd seen so far, Jean was an incredibly disciplined soldier. He liked having things under control, liked keeping order, making sure everything went according to plan.
But you'd also had enough chances to see what happened when something slipped. When things stopped going the way they were supposed to.
There had been one expedition where you ended up close to his squad when a Titan attack hit from multiple directions at once. The formation had broken apart within seconds. Orders started overlapping. Soldiers were forced to improvise. You still remembered hearing Jean under his breath afterward-quiet enough that most people wouldn't have caught it.
Muttering curses at himself. Blaming himself.
Like every casualty had somehow happened because he hadn't been fast enough. Hadn't predicted it well enough. Hadn't controlled things better.
Even with that - there was no denying he was talented. A capable leader. One of the better ones the Survey Corps had.
And Jean definitely liked attention from women. A lot.
He clearly put effort into how he looked-more than most soldiers ever bothered to. It showed.
And to be fair - you could honestly admit he wasn't bad-looking at all. A very attractive young squad leader, objectively speaking.
You'd seen him talking to women more times than you could count. Most often Mikasa Ackerman.
Though somehow those conversations almost always ended the same way - with Mikasa walking away from him not long after, and Jean standing there trying very hard to pretend that hadn't just happened.
"Ooohh... Jean-boy flirting with our younger soldiers now?" Connie teased in an exaggerated deep voice, jabbing him in the side with his elbow. "Mikasa isn't enough for you, huh?"
Sasha gasped dramatically and whipped toward Jean. "Ha! You know that's against the rules!" she said with heavy sarcasm.
Jean groaned and shoved Connie away. "What the hell are you even talking about? That's not flirting - I just said they don't need to be formal!"
You and Mina quietly laughed under your breath while Connie and Sasha continued pestering him.
Unfortunately for you, Jean caught it from the corner of his eye. His head snapped toward both of you. Then he pointed a finger your way in mock warning.
"And don't think you two are safe either." His expression sharpened - though the twitch at the corner of his mouth ruined the threat. "Laugh again and I'll have both of you running ten laps around the field."
"I wouldn't do it anyway. I run enough during training or whenever duty calls." you said with a smug little tilt of your head.
"But I said it." Jean replied, leaning forward as he looked at you with a faint smirk. "You'd have to do it."
"I wouldn't. There's literally no reason for me to run ten laps, so I wouldn't." you shot back.
Mina lightly nudged your side.
You glanced at her way and immediately caught the familiar look she was giving you. Brows slightly drawn together, sharp eyes fixed on you. Silently saying "Stop it."
"Sometimes I forget how stubborn you are, Y/n." Connie laughed. "I swear, I love the way your mind works. Maybe I should start thinking like that too. I'd spend all day sleeping instead of working."
Sasha let out an annoyed huff and crossed her arms over her chest. "As if Eren or Mikasa would let that slide."
At the sound of Eren's name, your stomach nearly twisted, and not for any good reason. Just pure irritation.
"Ugh, don't even mention Eren." you groaned. "I swear, ever since the last expedition it feels like he's haunting me. I don't even want to hear that name."
"I agree," Jean immediately chimed in.
"You agree with anything that's against Eren." Connie said, glancing over at him.
"Well, obviously." Jean rolled his eyes. "That suicidal maniac acts on impulse half the time and can never admit when someone else is right."
He let out a long, exhausted groan and tipped his head back, eyes closed, like he was already beyond tired of the subject.
Jean and Eren's relationship was... interesting.
At least from what you'd seen with your own eyes over the years. It always felt like they were arguing about something, for exapmle; formation plans, positions, ranks. Honestly, anything they could possibly turn into a debate.
But you'd also seen the quieter moments.
The two of them collapsing into the grass side by side after an expedition, too exhausted to care. Riding next to each other in silence. It almost felt like some strange love-hate relationship - except in the form of friendship.
"Actually, it's funny you didn't mention Armin." Mina said, turning toward Sasha. "Considering he's the Commander."
Sasha shrugged. "Armin wouldn't yell at anyone the way those two would. At most, he'd completely manipulate you into understanding exactly why you should do what he's asking."
Which was honestly true. Eren and Mikasa were far harsher than Armin ever was. And still, Armin was the commander.
Which made sense. He was probably one of the smartest people in the Survey Corps. Maybe the smartest. Though to be fair, you had no idea how the higher-ups compared.
Eren, on the other hand... you were pretty sure he'd lose his mind if he also had to carry the commander's responsibilities.
"The important thing is..." you finally sighed, like you were wrapping the whole conversation up. "We're alive."
For a second, everyone just stared at you. Confused expressions and sharp looks all landed on you at once. You blinked between each of them like your answer made complete sense.
"That had absolutely nothing to do with the conversation." Mina finally said.
"Maybe," you replied, raising a hand with one finger pointed up like you were making a very serious argument. "But I'm still right."
"You're weird." Jean muttered.
"Basically true." Sasha nodded once at your logic.
"You know what? Fair enough." Connie started nodding too. "She's got a point. If we weren't alive, we wouldn't be standing here talking shit about our superiors."
"Don't run like a bitch! Move those damn legs!" The sharp shout rang out from behind you.
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice. Of course-
Floch.
He stood at the edge of the training grounds with his hands planted firmly on his hips, watching the newest Survey Corps recruits as they pushed through their drills.
His eyes were sharp. There was almost something unpleasant in his expression too; a hint of disgust, like he was looking down on the soldiers training in front of him.
Floch Forster. Probably the closest thing to a higher-ranking officer without actually being one. He's just another soldier, same as you, same as Mina.
And yet somehow he always carried himself like he had authority over everyone around him. He was exactly the kind of person who'd follow orders the second they were given; especially if they came from Eren.
Sometimes it was ridiculous. The way he shadowed him so closely felt less like loyalty between soldiers, and more like he'd volunteered to be his personal servant.
"There's the ass-kisser." Jean muttered under his breath.
"I seriously don't understand why he's always trying to act so tough." Sasha sighed, still staring at Floch.
"Exactly," Connie scoffed. "And with a bird's nest like that on his head? I wouldn't have the confidence to bark orders at anybody."
"Well, good thing you don't have hair then," Mina laughed. That pulled a smile from you too.
"He does have hair," you defended Connie immediately. "Just... not very much."
At that Connie gave you an approving nod, followed by a wink.
For the next few quiet seconds, all five of you simply watched as Floch barked orders at the recruits while they trained.
The whole thing looked worse than it should've, almost like some dictator giving commands. Which was even more ridiculous considering he wasn't one.
And the funniest part was that Floch technically had nothing to do with any of this. The soldiers trained on their own whenever they had the time. No one had ordered them to be here. So from the beginning, you'd been wondering why Floch had planted himself there like some kind of instructor.
Like the old Keith Shadis back in those days. Oh, how you don't miss that man.
One of the soldiers running laps - a smaller girl with a slimmer frame - tripped on the uneven ground and went down. You couldn't even blame her, the field was rough. You aswell tripped countles times before, when you decided to run and work on your endurance.
A couple of her friends stopped beside her, laughing a little, and she started laughing too at her own clumsiness.
Then Floch snapped at them like he actually outranked everyone there.
"Hey! No talking during training! And you, get up! Titans aren't going to wait around while you take your sweet time getting back on your feet!" The group visibly shrank back.
That was enough for Jean.
He'd clearly had enough of the pointless yelling, especially coming from someone who was no better than the people he was shouting at.
"Oi!" Jean called out sharply. "Get back in line, Forster. Don't act like you're above them."
Floch visibly flinched the second he heard Jean's voice. He even stepped back from the edge of the field. "I was just trying to help them!" he shot back.
Connie let out an obnoxiously loud laugh before yelling across the field:
"Go help Yeager wipe his ass instead!"
The snort that escaped you was immediate, and you ended up bumping right into Mina as laughter shook your shoulders. Sasha burst out laughing just as hard beside you. Jean tried his best to keep his intimidating expression fixed on Floch, but the corners of his mouth were trembling too much to hold it.
Mina let out a quiet laugh too, then quickly spoke up.
"Wait- come on... let's not bully the poor guy..." she muttered, already thinking ahead to whatever consequences might follow.
"Mina, sweetheart, Floch's an asshole. You don't need to feel bad for him." Jean said, placing a hand on her shoulder to ease her worry. "I've known him long enough to know he deserves it."
Meanwhile, Floch glared at all of you from across the field. His eyes practically shot daggers, and his face had nearly turned red.
"You've gone too far this time, Springer!" he snapped. "You'll regret this!"
"Ooh, I'm fucking terrified." Connie laughed. You speak up too, still trying to catch your breath "Would be hilarious if he actually went and dragged Eren out here."
"Oh God, don't jinx it or they really will show up together." Sasha giggled.
For the next few minutes, the five of you stayed there laughing and talking, making fun of Floch and how unbelievably full of himself he was.
You knew talking behind someone's back wasn't exactly admirable - especially when it turned into outright mocking - but Floch really was one of those people who somehow managed to earn it. He was unbearably rude and looked down on everyone around him, especially the newer recruits. He'd treated all of you like that too, and sometimes still did. Ever since getting close to the higher-ups, he'd started acting like he was above everyone else; and he loved rubbing that in people's faces whenever he got the chance.
Your conversation was cut short by a familiar voice.
"Oi."
The deep voice reached your ears instantly.
Eren.
You and Mina turned around while the others looked up toward him.
He was only a few steps away.
He wasn't wearing his usual uniform. Instead, he had on loose black military trousers tucked neatly into black boots, along with a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. His hair was tied back in that usual loose, messy man bun.
His expression wasn't angry. More neutral than anything, almost bored.
Like he was already irritated Floch had dragged him all the way out here after storming into his office.
"Uh-oh. Fun police is here." Connie muttered under his breath so only your group could hear.
"They're right here, sir!" Floch immediately stepped beside Eren with sharp posture and total confidence. "The squad leaders are behaving childishly and in a way unbecoming of soldiers. And these two soldiers clearly aren't carrying out today's assigned duties like everyone else is required to."
Your eyebrows lifted.
As far as you knew, today was a free day. No duties had been assigned at all. But you assumed Floch was making things up so Eren would have a reason to come out here and scold you.
"Alright, Floch. Enough." Eren sighed, pressing two fingers to his forehead with his eyes closed.
A moment later he looked at all of you.
You and Mina instinctively saluted as soon as he approached, same as always whenever a superior officer arrived.
"No trouble at all, sir. Always at your service!" Floch saluted sharply.
You and Mina nearly stared in disbelief at how hard he was trying to play the perfect soldier for Eren.
"So..." Eren asked, glancing over the group.
His eyes lingered on you a second longer after scanning everyone else. "What exactly is happening here?"
"Enjoying our day off, Eren," Connie answered with a smug grin as he stepped beside him and nudged him lightly with an elbow. "You should try it too."
"Can't really. Armin needs a lot of help with paperwork and planning." Eren replied.
"Come on. Even Armin deserves a day off. He's always thinking. Must be exhausting."
"For you, definitely, Connie." Eren shot back, nudging him aside. Even though the motion was playful, his expression stayed serious.
"HEY -"
"Anyway," Eren cut him off, raising his voice just enough to drown him out.
Then he looked directly at you and Mina. "And you two? What are you doing here?"
"The same thing they are." you answered, gesturing behind you.
Truthfully, Eren couldn't care less what any of you were doing.
And he already regretted believing Floch when he'd burst into his office making it sound like something genuinely serious had happened.
But now that he was here - and his so-called most loyal, most obedient soldier had dragged him all the way out - he felt like he had to say something before ending this and going back to work.
Then an idea crossed his mind.
Something that would keep Floch occupied instead of hovering around acting important.
And something that would satisfy Floch's weird obsession with wanting you and Mina "doing something productive."
Connie, Sasha and Jean didn't concern him much. They were his friends, and on top of that they were all the same rank. If they actually had something they needed to do, they'd handle it.
"Alright..." Eren finally said. "Since we're all already here..."
His eyes landed on you. "Y/n." Then completely deadpan. "Hand-to-hand combat with Floch. Right now. I've got work to do."
Your eyes widened at almost the exact same time as Floch's as you both snapped your heads toward each other.
"What?!" Floch's voice jumped an octave.
But the second Eren's eyes shifted from you to him, Floch visibly stiffened and immediately headed deeper into the training field, already preparing himself like he'd been waiting his whole life for this.
"What?!" you repeated, completely baffled.
Since when did he get to order you to fight someone on your day off? Wasn't the whole damn point of a free day that nobody ordered anybody around? But maybe you were the idiot here.
"And what about Mina?!" you demanded again.
Because no matter what, Mina had been standing there with you the whole time.
From the look on her face, she definitely didn't appreciate you bringing attention to that.
But she was your best friend. If you were in trouble, so was she. And if she was, then so were you. That was just how it had always been.
Eren sighed, shaking his head like he already regretted being here. "Mina. One hundred push-ups and one hundred sit-ups."
He lifted a hand in her direction casually. Mina's face nearly drained of color. "A-a hundred... push-ups... and a-a hundred - "
"But why am I fighting Floch?" you frowned, stepping closer to Eren.
"Because I said so." He looked back at you with that same sharp stare, green eyes locking straight into yours. "Go on. And because I know you can beat him."
You were pissed.
There was one damn day off this week. Sunday.
And somehow, even now, you were being ordered around and told to spar with some sleep-deprived idiot.
You didn't care that he'd added "because I know you can beat him". Even if it was supposed to be praise. Didn't matter.
You still had to answer to him, even today. That irritated the hell out of you.
You stepped forward, starting toward the field.
"I could beat you too right now..." you muttered under your breath while passing him.
That comment had mostly been meant for yourself. You'd even tried saying it quietly.
Clearly that didn't work.
Because in the next second, fingers clamped hard around your upper arm and yanked you back.
Oh shit.
"Really?" Eren's voice was low as he looked down at you from the side, standing close enough for you to feel the warmth of him.
His grip hadn't loosened. And when you stared right back up at him, your expression didn't waver either.
His eyes narrowed. Then the corner of his mouth twitched. "Then fight me, brat."
Connie's eyes lit up instantly. "Oooh yeah, no, I'm staying for this."
Sasha stared between you and Eren with wide eyes. "Oh my god..." she muttered under her breath. "Is this actually happening?"
Jean folded his arms, eyebrows raised high. "...I'm definitely not leaving now."
A few meters deeper into the training field, Floch was still standing there stiff as a damn plank, shoulders straight, waiting for you. He clearly couldn't hear the conversation - just staring blankly ahead and trying to look useful.
Poor Mina looked caught somewhere between panic and disbelief. She glanced between you and Eren one more time before quietly stepping off to the side and dropping to the ground.
"One..." Her voice came out weak as she started her push-ups. "Two..."
You barely heard her. Because your focus was locked entirely on Eren.
You ripped your arm free from Eren's grip a little harder than necessary, irritation still buzzing hot under your skin, and squared your shoulders as you stepped backward onto the open stretch of the training field. The packed dirt beneath your boots shifted slightly with each step until you found solid footing. Your weight evening out as instinct took over and your body settled into a stance you'd practiced countless times before. Your hands came up automatically, breathing slowing despite how aggressively your pulse was pounding in your throat.
Across from you, Eren looked infuriatingly calm.
He rolled his shoulders, loosening the tension in his body before planting his feet. His posture barely looked defensive at all. His weight stayed low and balanced, one foot slightly behind the other, hands lifted loosely enough to look casual - but there wasn't a single wasted movement in him. It looked almost lazy.
That just made it worse. He looked like he'd already measured the space between you, already calculated every angle, every distance, and every possible thing you could do.
That alone made your jaw tighten.
The tiny nod he gave was enough.
You moved first.
Your front foot drove into the dirt and you lunged forward, fist aimed straight toward his jaw with enough force behind it to test him immediately. Eren turned his head just enough for the strike to miss cleanly, and before your arm had even fully extended, you followed through with your other hand and aimed lower toward his ribs. That hit barely got close before his forearm came up and blocked it with a sharp impact, redirecting your arm sideways.
His hand immediately came forward toward your shoulder.
You twisted your torso out of range and felt his fingers brush past your sleeve.
Your momentum carried you through the pivot, and without stopping, you turned the movement into a roundhouse kick aimed directly at his side.
The kick landed, but not cleanly.
Eren stepped into it instead of away from it, taking the force against his forearm and absorbing it with barely more than a shift of balance. His hand closed around your calf for a split second and his leg immediately swept low.
Your body reacted before your brain caught up.
You jumped. Barely.
Your boots landed unevenly, one heel skidding slightly against loose dirt.
Finally, you were standing on both feet again.
But you barely had a second to process what had just happened before Eren came at you again. He didn't give you even a moment to breathe.
You had to focus immediately - had to block the next strike before it landed - but you were too slow.
A sharp hit drove straight into the right side of your ribs, forcing you backward with a hiss escaping your teeth.
Fuck.
That hurt like hell. There was definitely going to be a bruise there later.
But you didn't care. The competitive fire in your chest was burning too hot for that.
And the anger. The frustration. The fury pushing you forward.
From the edge of the training field, Connie winced right along with you. "Oh fuck."
You pushed forward again. Your fist. Your elbow. Your leg. Your knee. Strike after strike.
Eren blocked every single one.
And not a second too late, either. It was like he already knew what you were going to do before you even moved.
Then you spun and drove a sharp back kick toward his ribs. And somehow it landed.
For one brief second, pride flared inside your chest despite the fact that your lungs already felt ready to collapse.
This man was no joke.
"Nice." Jean muttered from the sidelines, watching the fight intensely.
But the satisfaction lasted all of two seconds. Because while your back was turned, Eren moved. He stepped in fast and caught both your wrists, wrenching them behind your back in a painful hold. You swore your shoulder was about to pop out of place. Then one of his arms slid across your upper chest and shoulders, locking you tightly against him. Your breath caught instantly as your body pressed against his chest.
You struggled immediately, desperately trying to break free from his grip, but his hold felt like iron.
Then his head lowered close to your ear. His voice came low and warm against your skin. "Not bad... but you can do better than that. Come on... show me."
And then he shoved you forward hard. You stumbled over your own feet, but didn't fall. Your heart nearly jumped out of your chest.
And he was teaching you? While fighting?
"This is insane." Sasha whispered under her breath as she stared.
Even Mina had stopped in the middle of push-ups to watch.
Floch still stood uselessly in the background, looking completely lost and trying to figure out who exactly was fighting who.
You dragged in a heavy breath. Your muscles burned. Sweat ran down your back.
Now what?
You forced yourself to think. You tried studying his stance, looking for an opening or a weak point anywhere.
Then you spotted one; his left side-
But Eren didn't let you think. He came again fast. You blocked what you could. But even then he landed another kick to your side.
Another strike. Pain sparked under your skin. You tried kicking again. But he caught your leg and shoved you back hard.
No. No... nothing was working.
He saw everything. He knew everything. You didn't know what to do.
The anger and desperation clawed their way through your chest harder and harder until logic disappeared completely.
You weren't thinking anymore. Just searching for any way out.
Do something, Y/n.
Anything.
Anything at all.
Eren moved again. And this time you stopped thinking. You trusted pure instinct.
And your leg drove upward hard between his legs.
Connie made a strangled noise. Jean's jaw dropped. Sasha slapped both hands over her mouth.
Mina whispered in horror. "Oh no..."
The kick landed perfectly, exactly where it needed to. It was probably not professional...
Eren froze for one long second. Then he shut his eyes briefly, and opened them again and showed absolutely no reaction.
Nothing.
And that somehow scared you more. Because after that how the hell was he still standing?
I'm fucked.
You barely had time to breathe. Eren moved terrifyingly fast. One arm hooked yours and yanked downward. His leg swept behind yours which made your balance disappeared instantly.
The ground slammed into you hard, air punched from your lungs.
Before you could recover, he was already over you. Eren planted both knees on either side of your body. Pinning you flat.
He forced your wrists above your head and slammed them against the dirt. Holding them there tight enough that moving became impossible.
Your chest rose sharply as you fought for air. Your heartbeat pounded harder than ever.
And Eren leaned down close enough for you to feel the heat of him. His hair had loosened slightly. A dark strand falling across his face. His voice dropped low enough that only you could hear.
"...That was dirty."
You stared up at him while still struggling beneath his weight. Trying to wrench free. Your legs kicked uselessly. Your wrists twisted in his grip.
If anything, his hold only tightened harder against the ground. His eyes stayed locked on yours. "Next time don't hesitate... and maybe you'll actually pin me instead."
Next time? Oh, hell no.
Then suddenly he let go.
And stood up like nothing had happened. Like pinning you into the dirt seconds ago had meant absolutely nothing.
He casually adjusted his shirt, while you still lay there flat on your back staring up at the sky, watching clouds drift overhead.
That had been the most intense fight of your entire life. And how long had it even lasted? Ten minutes? Twenty? You had no clue.
"That was... pretty heated..." Connie finally broke the silence.
"Keep your filthy thoughts off the training field, Springer." Eren answered dryly while fixing his uniform. Then he nodded toward you. "Get cleaned up. I've got work to do."
And with that he turned and walked off without looking back, like none of it had happened.
Your whole body ached. Your heart still pounding like hell. And your mind replayed every second. Every movement, grip, step. Every impossible moment where it felt like he already knew what you were about to do before you did.
Mina hurried over immediately. "You okay?!"
You blinked up at the sky. "I... think so."
Connie crouched beside you wearing the most shameless grin imaginable. "You absolutely kicked him in the balls!"
"I panicked." you muttered.
"Best thing I've ever seen!" he laughed.
Jean stepped over then and offered you a hand. "Not bad," he admitted. "I'll give you that."
You reached up tiredly. Jean grabbed your hand and pulled you straight to your feet.
You still felt dazed and everything hurt. By tomorrow your muscles were probably going to feel like death.
And it was still morning, which meant this was going to haunt the rest of your day.
Because all day long you were going to think about one thing.
How to get to that level.
How to move like that.
How to fight like that.
How to handle every battle with that same effortless control.
Maybe... maybe you should ask him to teach you?...
.
.
a/n: sorry if the fight scene feels confusing or hard to follow. im not really experienced with writing fights, so i just tried to make it work the way i imagined it. i hope it didn't turn out too bad!!
i hope you guys liked it, thank you for reading my fic!! <33
dividers: @uzmacchiato
