Part four will likely be the last part of the little story. Make sure to tell me what you think about it or if you have any ideas for oneshots or other ideas please let me know I enjoy reading every request!
Bertholdt looked around the mess hall and furrowed his brow. “Have you seen Annie?” He asked turning to Reiner. “I can’t see her anywhere.”
Rolling his eyes Reiner took a large bite out of his bread. “How would I know? She hates large crowds so she’s probably off on her own somewhere.”
“Yeah… maybe,” Bertholdt sighed. “It’s just I usually see her sitting with Mina.”
“Maybe she’s not here because she doesn’t like it when you stare at her.” Reiner groaned.
Bertholdt’s eyes widened. “I...I don’t stare! I just want to keep an eye on her.”
Once again Reiner rolled her eyes. “Well then. Where is she now?” When Bertholdt remained silent he leaned back in his chair and nodded. “Exactly.”
Eren looked up through the cloud of dust and dirt he had kicked up and gritted his teeth. “I really thought I had you then.”
Standing over him Annie crossed her arms. “You weren’t even close. You always lower your guard the moment you go to attack,” She explained. “It makes it so easy to get close to you.” Eren extended an open hand to her which she quickly took, with one strong pull Eren got to his feet and brushed the dirt from his uniform.
“I just lose focus whenever I go to attack,” Eren huffed. “How do you keep such a level head all the time?”
Annie felt her chest tighten slightly. “I just remember that I’m in a fight, that’s all I need. And…” Annie said as she rushed forward. “I always keep aware of my surroundings,” She added as Eren stumbled back and tripped over a rock at his feet. “See. That time I didn’t have to lay a hand on you.”
Once again Eren looked up through a veil of dirt and dust and Annie who wore a rare but warm smile. “I’ll beat you one of these days.”
“Of course you will,” Annie scoffed. “When I’m old and grey.”
Eren smirked. “Don’t be so sure about that. Mikasa said she’d teach me a special move to use on you.”
“Oh?” Annie hummed. “You’re going to show me your moves?” With a faint blush, Eren nodded. “Well, I hope you aren’t too rough with this fragile body of mine.”
This time Eren broke into laughter. “Again with the fragile maiden act? You look the part but you’re anything but a fragile maiden.”
Annie pouted and crossed her arms. “Would you believe me if I told you it used to work in the past?”
“Not for a second,” Eren exclaimed. “You’re a great fighter but an awful liar.”
Before she could stop herself Annie replied. “I’m better than you could ever believe.”
Seemingly unfazed Eren shrugged. “I don’t think so.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“You told me your martial arts was something your dad forced you into, but if you hated it that much why do you smile so much when we spar?”
Eren’s question hit Annie in the chest like a cannonball. Of course, she enjoyed training with him, but she’d never admit it to anyone, Annie had even tried to deny it to herself but she didn’t anticipate Eren to confront her over it. “M-maybe I just like seeing you in the dirt.” Annie shrugged.
Stretching his arms over his head Eren groaned. “Well then feel free to knock me down as many times as you want. You have a pretty smile.”
Annie stuffed her balled fists into her pockets. “How is my smile pretty?”
Eren immediately responded. “Because since you don’t smile very often whenever you do it's worth seeing.”
Heat rushed to Annie’s cheeks causing her to turn away from him. “Be careful what you say. What if Mikasa heard you?”
Rolling his eyes Eren sighed. “I’m her brother. I can say what I want to anyone.”
It doesn’t matter what you are to anyone. Annie thought to herself. If you’re not careful about what you say people will begin to fall for you. People and idiots like me. Biting her lip she gathered her composure and turned to him. “That could get you in trouble. I hear Jean is looking for any reason to get at your throat.”
“Good thing I have someone like you teaching me to look after myself,” Eren smirked.
“I can teach you how to fight back, I can’t teach you to stop being a maniac.”
Eren laughed. “I’m fine with that. If I wasn’t a maniac I wouldn’t keep coming back every night to get beaten up.”
Before she could consider her response Annie opened her mouth. “Well, I guess I should count myself lucky you’re slightly insane.”
Without realising it Eren stepped towards her. “W-why’s that?”
“I’ve met a lot of insane people,” Annie said as she too stepped forward. “But you’re a different type of insane.”
“How?”
“You’re blind to the world,” Another step. “But you’re trying to open your eyes. The insanity I’ve seen is people closing their eyes and saying they can see just fine, your type of insanity is going against the flow. It takes guts to do that and well… I’m curious.” Yet another step towards him.
Eren narrowed his eyes as he too took a step forward. “You sound like you’ve seen it all.”
“I just try not to pretend the outside isn’t there.”
“So what sort of insane does that make you?” Eren asked now only half a foot away from her.
Annie looked up and into Eren’s eyes. “The type who is listening to you.” She whispered as she leaned in towards him.
Eren followed her lead, leaning down slightly to meet her advance. When their lips finally met there was no shuddering spark than coursed through their bodies, instead it was a gentle warmth that spread throughout their bodies. It wasn’t like the heat that flooded Annie’s cheeks, it was gentle and calming and for a brief moment, she forgot about everything, her mission, her fellow warriors, her father, her homeland even the monster that was only a well placed cut from coming to the surface. She forgot it all as she allowed Eren to pull her closer to him.
Since part 1 got a positive reception and people asked for a second part here it is. I’m thinking of making this four or maybe five parts long so enjoy. Also let me know what you think and how I can improve :)
“Do you believe me now?” Annie asked with balled fists.
Reiner looked over to Bertholdt and hummed deeply. Only after checking over his shoulder did he answer. “Fine. Eren has the Attack Titan, what do we do about it?”
“There’s not a lot we can do,” Bertholdt said holding his chin. “We still need to work our way through the other two walls. Retrieving the Attack Titan was our secondary objective.”
Leaning back against the wooden wall Reiner groaned deeply. “So it’s a question of how many resources we can give to capturing Eren,” Reiner rubbed his eyes. “Me and Bertholdt are the only ones that can break through the walls so I guess that means it’ll have to be you.” He said looking over to Annie.
“D-do you think that’s a good idea?” Bertholdt asked.
“Who else could do it then?” Reiner quickly retorted. “And besides Annie has already volunteered to teach him to fight.”
With wide eyes Bertholdt turned to face Annie. “You have?”
Looking past him Annie stood up and walked up to Reiner. “How did you find out?”
“What does it matter?” Reiner asked with narrowed eyes. “It was a pretty good idea,” He shrugged. “Now you can keep an eye on him.”
“Reiner wait,” Bertholdt stuttered. “Is this really good idea? When Eren was talking about killing the Titans it was… unsettling. Training him to fight Titans. To fight us, I don’t know it might come back to kick us.”
Reiner sighed. “Look, Eren doesn’t even know about his powers. If this goes well he’ll never find out. And if grows to trust Annie that’ll make our lives a lot easier.”
“If I’m not needed here I’m going to get some sleep.” Annie yawned before stretching her arms over her head and walking away leaving Bertholdt and Reiner alone.
That night Annie didn’t try to fight against the warmth that coursed through her body, instead, she let it run its course. Rolling over to her side she looked out of the window that was parallel to her bunk. From across the yard, she could just make out the glow of the boy's dormitory.
“Who’s up at this hour?” She whispered to herself. “I wonder if it’s Eren. Knowing him he’s having a late night rant.” She smirked as she pulled the covers over her shoulder.
Inside the male rooms, Eren wasn’t ranting. Instead he was standing next to his bunk with his fists raised slightly above his head and one foot half a step behind the other.
“Eren?” Armin yawned while wiping his eyes. “What are you doing up?”
“Ah sorry Armin,” Eren chuckled. “I just couldn’t sleep.”
Rolling his eyes Armin sat up. “So you thought you’d practice your moves?” Eren nodded. “Why don’t you go outside? Where you won’t wake anyone up.”
Laughing under his breath Eren apologised one more time before getting changed and taking the candle he lit earlier outside. In the dark he put his light source on the ground and assumed the stance Annie had taught him earlier that day.
From her window Annie watched as the glowing orange orb made its way into the training yard before stopping. With a furrowed brow Annie sat up and leaned towards the window to get a better look. It has to be him. She thought to herself. Who else would be up this late? Annie rolled her eyes and lay back down, she was about to close her eyes when a thought came manifested itself. This could be a chance to keep an eye on him like Reiner said. Convincing herself that it was for the sake of her mission Annie quickly got out of bed and got changed before quietly slipping outside.
As she approached the dim, flickering light Annie could hear grunting and heavy breathing. “Your arms are too high.” Annie scoffed.
Eren jumped upon hearing the voice coming from the dark. “Annie?” He asked. “How did you know I was out here?”
“There are two people I know who sneak out at night and since Sasha is snoring the night away that meant it had to be you.” Annie explained with crossed arms.
“Oh. Please don’t tell Shardis.” Eren pleaded.
Rolling her eyes Annie smirked. “Don’t worry. You look like you could use another lesson,” she said before rushing forward and tripping Eren over her outstretched foot, He crashed into the dirt with a heavy thud and looked up at Annie through squinted eyes. “Like I said. Your arms are too high so you’re off balance,” She explained as Eren picked himself up.
“How’s this?” Eren asked as he lowered his fists to eye level.
For a moment Annie was stunned. “Wait. You really want to practise now?”
Eren raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you say I could use another lesson?”
“Yeah but it's the middle of the night.”
The dimness of the candle hide the light pink blush that rose on Eren’s cheeks as he realised the situation he was in. “Well… there’s no one to disturb us.”
This time it was Annie who was thankful for the dark that shrouded her face as heat rushed to her head and through her body. “Are you sure you’re not going to whine and moan about getting tired?”
Shaking his head Eren gave Annie a wide smile. “Not going to happen.”
The two of them together spent the next couple of hours training in the dark and despite the many times, Eren found himself looking up at Annie as she stood over him he always found the strength to stand up and face her again. In the end, it was Annie who felt the ache of her bones and the burning in her muscles.
“Okay, okay. I think we’ve had enough.” Annie panted.
After taking a deep breath Eren looked up from the ground and nodded. “Yeah. I could do with some sleep.” He chuckled holding out his hand.
Once she caught her breath Annie reached out and took his hand. Using what strength she had left she pulled him to his feet. “Thanks. So what do you think? Am I getting any better?”
Annie brushed down the dirt from her uniform and hummed. “It only took ten times longer than usual but you seem to have the stances down. At this rate it’ll take you another ten years before you can take me on.”
“Ten years!” Eren gawked. “We’re only in training for three. You don’t have a secret training technique do you?”
Before she could answer Annie felt her heart rate begin to increase as Eren ran his fingers through his oak brown hair. “Well… Maybe if I train you every night you have a chance.” Annie suggested, worried that he might decline such a demanding offer she stuffed her fists in her pockets.
“That’s a great idea! It’s cooler at night so we can train harder,” He exclaimed. “And then during the day I can practise with Reiner and everyone else.”
Annie had to stifle the giggle that rose in her. “You really are an idiot aren’t you. All you care about is training. When are you ever going to take it easy and go with the flow?”
“When the Titans are dead,” Eren growled under his breath. “I’m not going to stop until they’re all dead.”
“You’ll die like everyone else who tries to fight them,” Annie explained. “There’s a reason we live behind the walls.”
Eren balled his fists. “Have you never thought about what lies beyond the walls? Beyond the Titans?” Annie bit her lip as she shook her head. The anger that lay in Eren’s eyes suddenly vanished replaced by something Annie hadn’t seen in a long time. Hope. “There’s so much I have to tell you, about the ocean, and the burning snow and boiling earth. About everything.”
Do what she could to smile Annie crossed her arms. “You can tell me tomorrow. In the meantime, I’m getting some sleep.
As she walked away Eren called out after her. “When you hear about the ocean you won’t want to hear the end of it!”
Annie didn’t reply as she walked away. She was sure she could maintain her composure if she tried to answer him. Instead she walked away in silence, got changed in silence, and went to bed in silence doing all she could to keep her eyes from welling up.
He has no idea what’s out there. All he knows is what he’s read in old books. He knows nothing about us or where we’re from. He knows nothing about me… but it had to be him. It just had to be him. Annie thought to herself as she pulled the covers over her head.
