Turquoise {Reader x Eren Jaeger} Part II

The Three Dimensional Maneuver Gear training wasn’t as hard as you’d thought it to be. You watched as others struggled, attempting to balance their bodies, then falling upside down and banging their heads against the ground. Or, at least, that was what happened to Eren, mostly. Mikasa Ackerman was handling herself pretty well… She was well focused, and didn’t even sway at all.

It was difficult, since the Maneuver Gear required great physical leg strength, and even the mental strength of not swaying due to panic. If you couldn’t pass the evaluation by not being able to remain upright, you would be dismissed.

You had passed that part of training easy, even though you were a little shaky at times. Eren still continued to fall over no matter how many times he tried. He was really verily trying, you could see that. Shadis, as usual, continued to yell at the poor boy, threatening to dismiss him.

One night, you had been walking around the Maneuver Gear training area hopefully to find a bracelet that you had dropped. Instead of finding what you were intentionally looking for, you had caught Eren on the 3DMG training equipment. Again, he continued to fall. It was difficult to watch him like this. His unrequited will pushed him forward, no matter how many times he failed.

Just as he was about to fall again, you had came up from behind him and wrapped your arms around his torso, almost like a loving mother [or at least that was what Eren mistook you for at first].

“[N-Name]!” Your sudden embrace had caused him to panic and waver. You both stumbled a little and fell forward just a pinch.

"Don't worry, I got you.~" You sweetly hummed, with a light giggle. "Here." You helped him into the normal Maneuver Gear position and softly murmured, "I'm going to let go now, alright?"

He swallowed. "Go ahead."

You adjusted his position a little and released yourself from him.

You were impressed. He was managing to keep his balance way better than he had earlier. You walked in front of him and smiled at him in encouragement. It didn't seem to last long though. In one wrong movement, he began wobbling and wavering, and fell towards your direction.

"Ahh!" You and Eren shouted. His head swung against yours, causing you to fall backwards on your posterior and rub your head. Eren had banged his head against the ground again, and had entered his upside-down position.

"Eren!" You quickly stood despite how much your head hurt, but Eren's head most likely hurt two times as much yours did.

"Sorry!" He was frantic with worry.

You gave him an honest smile and said, “It’s not your fault. Here, let me help you.” You walked up to him and assisted him in flipping back to an upright position. Then, you began to unattached the cords and let him down.

"Wait a second… [Name]! I need to practice!"

"No. Tiring yourself out will only make things worse." You stated, as Eren had met the ground.

"I'm not tired yet!" He complained.

"Oh really?" You raised an eyebrow and brought your face towards his, causing him to flush a light red.

"What are you-"

You leaned your forehead against his and rested your hands on both sides of his head, feeling his locks of dark brown hair intertwine with your fingers. You closed your eyes and began humming. You felt his perspiration on his smooth, but also slightly injured skin. And you knew his sweat didn't come from being nervous around you. His hair was also damp with sweat. "Hmm, see?" You parted from him and smiled sweetly. "You're sweating."

He sighed deeply. "Dammit." He muttered.

"Now sit, and relax." You ordered. He sighed once again, and took a seat on the dried dirt. You smiled and took a seat right behind him, his body in between your legs. You slid your arms under his and pulled him towards you as you caressed his hair with your left hand, and held onto him by his shoulder with your right. You spoke with a soft and soothing voice. "You'll only succeed if you relax, Eren. It's not always about strength and having a huge resolve. You have to focus."

"… Uh-huh." That was all he said. You smiled, because you knew that he was probably flustered with embarassment and crazed on the inside, wondering what he should do.

You were in full realization when you realized his state and gasped. "I'm sorry! This is really inappropriate and disrespectful of me to do to someone I've just met!" You frowned." It was my subconscious… You just remind me of someone I used to know…"

"I-It's alright… Um… How do I explain it…?" He stuttered. You truly wondered why he was always in such a defenseless state around you. "Your presence is comforting."

Your cheeks tinted a light red. "Oh." You averted your eyes away from him, and then slightly tightened your grasp on him. "You're so cute, did you know that?" You teased, chuckling a little.

"Ehhh?!" As he began panicking, you continued to caress his hair, while giggling lightly. It was entertaining to see such a serious boy like him become so vulnerable.

You stood up and offered your hand to Eren, once you decided it was too dark. He frowned a bit and took it without question, then standing up. You noticed that he was a couple of inches taller than you, and was somewhat surprised. He was a few months older than you, and he was male… You were just surprised because of his state when around you.

"Now, Eren." You smiled. "Get some rest. You won't be able to pass the evaluation if you're too worn out to keep your balance. And, remember what I said. Relax." You placed your hands on his shoulders from behind.

As you were walking away, toward the barracks, Eren stood there for a few moments, thinking about reality. He realized he wanted to spend more time like that with you again. He remembered why he joined the army in the first place- or even why this army existed in the first place. It was because of the titans. He didn't want anything to happen to you. He knew you were strong, and perfectly capable. But death was possible even for the strongest of soldiers. He just wished a girl like you didn't have to go through such things, even if it meant that he would never had met you.