Erann Story

Chapter 2

  During the ending of the war between Titans and humans, the people decided that the best option for their people would be to either end the misery of their fellow Elodians, or find a solution. Though it may be impossible, the citizens came to a vote where they were to try and help return the Titans back into humans, but if they couldn't come up with anything within the following year, they would finish what was started from the beginning, and destroy them.

  So they began experimenting on Titan shifters, or more preferred, Kyojin. Not much progress was made, but after trying to use a spinal fluid sample from a Kyojin, and injecting it deep within the nape of a mindless Titan, a break through was made. Though it would take a while, they managed to save every wandering Titan and turn them into controlled Kyojin. That's how so many shifters live today, albeit now in poor circumstances with the government.

-0-

  "Eren, please dear next time don't go running towards danger, and be careful."

  Carla was with Eren, she had awoken to the sound of Eren rushing from his room and getting dressed. By the time he had gotten home yesterday he had explained everything to them about what happened with Marcel and that Annie had told him to come to her house. Carla and Grisha were shocked by the news, but it was relieving to know that he was at least all right.

  Carla knew how much she annoyed her son, and she hated that she was ever seen as such to him, for she loved him and as any good mother would do, she was going to make sure her child was safe, no matter how much he resented her in that aspect. Even now as he is pulling on his boots it seems he didn't even hear her entire lecture.

  Carla sighs, a hand running down her messy bed ragged hair, her fingers pulling her shawl closer as an attempt to ward off the coldness of early morning. She wanted to at least see him off, to smile and wave at him whenever he left. It always made her feel more comfort than waking up to an empty bed and quiet house.

  Even though Eren is the only child, that does nothing to keep this house by any means silent. Thinking about it she was much like him his age. Also like his father.

  Eren sighs with a groan, a hand running down the side of his rib cage as he twists his body back up from his uncomfortable crouched position.

  "Love you ma! See you later!" Eren is barging out the door now, accidentally leaving it open in his rush after looking at the old clock.

  Carla shakes her head, letting out a soft "Bye" and of course waving at him even though his eyes don't see her as he turns a corner.

  Her feet tapping against the wooden floor echoes in the dark house as she shuts the door. It creaks loud, and Carla takes note that she needs to remind Grisha about getting that fixed as she pulls up the lock. Thoughts drift off when such calming and gentle hands wrap around her waist. Warm breath danced along her neck, a deep voice reverberates against her back and she smiles, her slightly pouty mood about her sons behavior now gone.

  "Why you up?" Carla asks as she leans back, her husband welcoming her closer.

  "I have to go see a few patients today. I wanted to get going early so I could be back home in time for supper." Grisha kisses her neck, and Carla loves how warm they are as they press against her flesh.

  Carla moans in agitation, her left arm raising to stroke through his long, silky strands, just freshly brushed and soft to the touch.

  "I hate being home alone." She confesses, biting her lip as her husband naughtily sucks at the end of her beautiful jaw.

  Grisha sighs as his hands go down to stroke her stomach, feeling the small pooch of her belly.

  "I'm sorry darling, I probably should have told Eren to stay for you."

  "No, no it's fine. He really wants this. Besides I can't cage him in this house forever." Carla turns in his hold, and drags her mouth over his cheek to press a long lingering kiss there. "Just having him away now, and then never being able to see you. I just really miss you. Both of you."

  Grisha closes his eyes in bliss. Sadly he has been rejecting his wife because of his work. She didn't blame him, and he didn't feel any guilt for it, as he was the only Doctor available for an entire city of people. There was no need to explain how busy it could make oneself. Kyojin could always heal a missing arm, a leg, or a head even, they couldn't however keep away from sickness. That's one of the reasons why he quit working in the games.

  But maybe just this once he could be a little late. He just wanted to make up lost time to his wife.

  "I love you Carla. Don't be sad when I'm gone. Besides, some day....you won't alway be alone when me and Eren are absent.

  Grisha moved to kiss her again, this time on the lips with gentle passion and slow dances of their tongues. He felt Carla hum pleasantly against him as they had parted momentarily.

  "Yeah, perhaps you are right."

*

*

*

  Annie sat inside her room, laying on her back while her fingers gently grazed across a tiny framed drawing. A small music box with tiny flowers carved into it was playing a sweet lullaby. The paint was chipping off, and at some notes it tended to sound a bit off.

  The drawing in Annie's hand was of someone she never got the chance to know. And though she wasn't the type for cute silly music boxes, this one in particular seemed to always calm her, and she knew exactly why. Her long deceased mother used to play it for her every morning and night when she was young, and it seemed the toon had made a way into her heart, for it was all that was left of her mother besides the smudged portrait.

"Annie darling? That boy is here."

  Annie rolled off, her feet thumping on the floor upon contact. Now standing she stretched herself out, her hair was down and crazy and she was sporting a hoodie and jeans.

  "He is a bit early." She grumbles tiredly. She went over to her barely used vanity to quickly twist her naughty hair into a bun, her hand holding it in placed while the other scourges through drawers finding the pin to keep it from falling out.

  "Annie, I trust you and all, and you know I do." Annie's father leaned back on her door frame, his arms crossing over the middle of his stomach.

  Annie paused a second to squint her eyes at him through the reflection of the mirror. Yes she trusted him, but every single time she does something, he always adds restrictions or treats her as though she can't think for herself when it came to making wise choices. But when it came to her fighting skills he was full of strong pride for her, the downside of his pride was that he became a bit possessive over her. That's why she had to have an hour long talk just to get him to allow her to teach this kid. She didn't see the big deal though, this wasn't her first time working with someone.

  "What is it dad?" Annie worked on straightening out a few loose strands before getting more pins to add those in place as well.

  "Don't worry it's nothing much. I know how you feel about my concerns." Moving from his spot he goes to slowly approach his daughter, hands raising to rest at both her small but strong shoulders. "But please be careful with this one. You don't know him yet, and we both know well what happened that day and why."

  Annie frowned at his words before shrugging her shoulders to urge his hands off.

  "I know. You can rest assured that it won't happen to me as well. I won't let someone destroy me like she did."

  Annie's father smiled and nodded, hearing those words making him feel as she told him to be, reassured that family history wouldn't repeat itself.

*

  Annie's father had called to her that he lead the boy out back to wait for her, so she was heading out the door to go see him. Annie always appreciated that they lived away from people, she was never a "people" person to begin with. That's why she was a bit curious of herself as to why she practically invited Eren Jaeger to train with her. The others had come to her.

  She had to admit that she was impressed with his fighting, not really his form and how he was fighting but the strength and speed behind it. For some reason she didn't want such abilities to go to waste. Also she admitted without any hesitation that she was flattered that he liked her skill.

  Everyone is always too focused on staying alive during a fight than to actually focus on how their opponent attacks. That's why it's so easy to get to the top. No one even cares about observation. Thinking of which Annie reminds herself to teach Eren about that specific subject today or tomorrow.

  Annie jogged at a slow pace around the house, the wind was nice against her as she made smooth moves with her steps. She came to a halt when she spotted Eren standing on the edge of a hill that went down to her backyard cherry blossom tree.

  The direction he faced allowed him to see the movement at the right side of his eye, making it so he was now aware of her presence.

  "I just arrived." Eren said, hand going behind to itch his head, the spot feeling itchy but he was worried to look nervous by the action.

  "I can see that." Annie says, gesturing to how he was still panting from running all the way there. Stepping closer she squinted her eyes at his slightly sweaty form, and shamelessly admiring the attractive look he was wearing, his hair sticking to his face, and eyes dark.

  "I'm pretty sure you are warmed up then. So let's get to our stretches." Annie commanded, taking off her hoodie to reveal the white shirt below, preparing to warm up herself while Eren stretched.

  "Already have."

  Annie raises an eye brow.

  "I'm not new to this, my father had been able to give me some lessons before I first started fighting in the games." Eren explained to Annie's wonder to his preparation.

  "Well then, show me what you got then." Annie says as she drops her hoodie, leaving it to sit on the grass.

  "Now? But we have fought before-"

  "Let's go!" Annie interrupts him, going in her signature pose, Eren watching her make the familiar stance.

  "A-alright." Eren pulled off his scarf, and discarding his simple black jacket.

  Annie's eyes were serious despite the fact that when he removed his scarf and jacket she got a good view of his neck from the V of his shirt and muscles through the tight shirt under.

  "Make your move."

  Eren did as she instructed and made his attack, charging forward and hands prepared to grab any throws at him. She simply grabbed his arm, twisted, making his back arch most uncomfortably before he felt a pain his back legs and then it all shot to his ass when he hit his tail bone. He groaned on contact, hissing and tempted to rub the harmed bone.

  "Ow, ow, ow....." He slowly sat up, a mini head ache forming near the front from getting hit there as well as from getting up too fast. "That was harsh."

  "Well you are gonna need to push yourself and listen well if you want to survive." Annie started coming from behind to offer a hand. Eren hesitated, mainly because his body was expecting a surprise attack and he would find his back at his front the next minute. But he took it, and was again surprised by how easily she pulled him up from being so much shorter than him.

  "When you get to the tournament finale, if you do anyway, you are gonna be facing other Kyojin who are just like me. Only just multiply that five times and that's what you will be going against."

  The games always started on every new year, and they ended on October. That ending month they find five of the best fighting Kyojin and have them fight. There is only one rule, only one can remain standing, only one leaves alive.

  "The entire purpose for the games is to make sure that the population stays low. But since the winner gets enough to last the rest of the following months including more after the games start again, and of course the fact that the games are our only way to survive, everyone is going to be at each other's throats."

  Eren wore a frown as she spoke. He knew how everything worked in this world, but hearing it again always seems to make his heart race with a way too familiar feeling of anger from how much he despises the way the humans treated Kyojin. That's why he doesn't like to be reminded just so he can fight without that thought in his head. It becomes a distraction when he is in the games, it gives him an urge to disobey their orders just to show that he wouldn't take their ways. But the thought of his worried mother and how both she and his father depend on him is what keeps him away from acting upon those urges.

  "So if you want to train with me, you are gonna have to learn to expect surprises at every corner. You will find yourself struggling every minute into it, and you will have to learn to bear through the pain." Annie walked around in circles around him while speaking, at her last word she went to hook her arm around his neck to bring him down, Eren wasn't prepared.

  He couldn't breath by the pressure of her arm flexing against his Adam's apple. And there was indeed pain, his head was heating up, and he was struggling to move, unable to focus by how much was going on above.

  "Annie...." He coughs with a broken gasp. "Annie that's enough!"

  "This is nothing Jaeger. If you want me off then get me off. Use your strength, don't focus on your loss of oxygen." Annie instructed firmly, making sure he knew she wasn't letting go, but prepared to release if he went too long with it.

  Eren glared at the dark sky, only able to send his frustration towards that since she was out of sight. When he tried to move her arm, her pressure increased, making him grunt with a small wheeze. He threw his left leg out to wrap around her back where her rump and spine met, hooking his boot into her side. The movement was quick but shaky, but he managed to pull her over so he could hook the other one at her other side.

  Closing his eyes he growled out as he used his strength to roll them over. That didn't get her arm off him. But he could breath now, and he took as much as he could with large gulps in case she intended to pull another surprise at him.

  Eren was surprised when she let go to grab his shoulders and summersault with him, making him fly up and continuing her wrestle with him. That's when he went limp, his muscles shaking from straining, and he was too frustrated to continue.

  How on earth was she this strong? It made no sense. He was giving it all he's got, and all she had to do was hold him there, no sign of the same trouble he went through. He was panting, she was calmly breathing, he was sweating, she was cool and dry. And that was just after only one minute with her. Now Eren felt his own self esteem going down the hill. Bye, bye.

  "I'll give you credit for at least putting some effort into it." She sits up on his waist, arms still holding his hands down.

  Eren lifted his head, "Some?! I was...giving it my all." He whined and let his head fall back down.

  Eren almost didn't feel her get up, but when he had opened his eyes she had been offering her hand once again.

  "I won't apologize for doing that. I just wanted to see your limits. But it looks like you have a very long way to go." She had to emphasize on the "very". He was that bad?

  Eren didn't take the hand, "You're not very good at making your students feel very confident."

  "Well if you want praise, I will say this, you did well." Annie didn't remove her hand from it's position as she continued to look down at him.

  "Now that's fake, now I know you're trying to just make me feel better." Eren huffed and rose till he was supporting himself by his arms.

  "I meant it."

  Eren looked at her confused.

  "I have done that to a few others before. They give up on any effort and end up running away the next day because they think I'm too rough with them." Her hands were on her hips now and her face changed into a faint form of a smile. "You are actually the first one to actually make a move. It wasn't much yes, but you managed to move me. And not to feed your ego, but I was having trouble keeping you down."

  Eren blinked in disbelief, "Seriously?"

  Annie nodded, once again putting her hand out. "Now you gonna take it or not? We still have hours to go."

  Eren gulped at the strange sensation of excitement. Perhaps he wasn't as upset about being taken down by a girl as he thought. He wanted to learn, and he wasn't gonna be a quitter on the first day. He wasn't a wimp like those others that Annie mentioned, he wouldn't stoop to their lazy butts.

  Eren smiled and took it, coming up and almost stumbling on top of her from the unintended force pulled his way.

  "Keep up that fighting spirit I just saw while I had you down, and you just may impress me Jaeger."

  Today Eren decided he liked it when she smiled.

  "Hai."

*

*

*

  "Oh hey! Jaeger bomb!"

  After leaving the Leonhardt house, Eren had been about to head home, but since it was still pretty early, and his Uncle's home was closer, he decided to go ahead and check up on Marcel. Perhaps to stay a while to recover from how sore his body was. Eren was definitely thankful for the healing abilities Kyojin possessed. Otherwise it would be bad news for his next tournament.

  Every Sunday, Saturday, and Monday there was a game, and if you won against your assigned opponent then you are given enough to last a week if only just barely. Today was Tuesday, so Eren had three days to improve or he may be a goner.

  "Hi Marcel, I can see that you have fully healed." Eren gestured to how all the bruises had disappeared, and how Marcel was able to give him a hug and even pick him up without any struggle.

  "Yep, wait....aren't you supposed to be with your new girlfriend or something?" A smirk went across Marcel's face as Eren looked at him confused.

  "What?" Eren sat down on a small couch, his arms resting on the two pillows resting on each corner.

  "Yesterday you told me you were going to see a girl." Marcel sat on the couch a little ways across, this one larger and could fit up to three people, perhaps four. "And I want details!"

  With a roll of his eyes and a click of his tongue Eren replied, "Marcel you know I told you I was going to train with her. And we just met."

  "But just now you didn't deny anything about her being your girlfriend."

  Eren threw the pillow on his right, sending it directly into Marcel's face who seemed to not react to it.

  "She is not my girlfriend. There I said it. Why is it that every time I end up fighting a girl you think these silly assumptions?" Eren slide onto his side so he could lay down, groaning at the sting it caused to throb in his back and leg muscles.

  "Okay, okay, it's just I can never tease you about anything. You are like never into anyone! Plus I've been trying to get you back for always teasing me during my past relationships."

  Eren chuckled, "It had been all fun and games Marcel."

  "Could it be that you are...are..." Marcel gasped at his last word, hand covering his mouth as he leaned his body forward a bit. "Don't tell me you're ga-"

  Eren shot up and threw the other pillow, this one Marcel yelped and ducked. The pillow ended descending over the couch and into someone else's face upon entering.

  Eren frowned at the unfamiliar face. The pillow had hit a rather tall...very tall man with a very strong and muscular body build and features. His hair was blonde and messy, and he looked sort of intimidating. But not as much as Annie for sure, Eren didn't think anyone could top her stare.

  "Oh! Hey dude I'm glad you are here!" Marcel had lifted himself over the couch, his hand on the back to lift his legs over and hug the big guy full force, pulling away quickly to connect one another's hands in a firm hand shake.

  "Eren I want you to meet my friend." As Marcel had spoke Eren had gotten up to head over to them. "This is Reiner Braun. Reiner Braun, Eren Jaeger."

  Reiner smiled and held out his hand. "A pleasure to meet you."

  Eren returned the smile and accepted his hand, knowing by the smile and soft eyes that this guy was okay. "Same here. Oh, and sorry about the pillow."

  Reiner waved his hand in dismiss, "Ah it was just a pillow, and you didn't know I would be walking through the door."

  "Oh yeah where is your fiancé?" Marcel asked, leaning to peek behind him for any sign of his tiny mate.

  A flash of what was recognized as pain glinted in his eyes for a moment, Eren just barely catching it.

  "Me and her are kinda...just ya know. She's having a tough time so I decided to give her some space."

  "Uh oh, what happened this time?" Marcel grumbled with a disappointed frown. You could tell that this had happened before, more than once.

  "Today is the day her mother and father died."

  Marcel's eyes widened just a smudge, Eren standing on the side not really knowing what to do.

  "Ah I see..." He sighs, kindly offering Reiner a seat next to him to which he accepted.

  "Did you try to stay and help comfort her during her mourning?" Marcel asked as he lounged back into a comfortable position.

  "Yes, but she asked me to leave." Reiner pouted, right now looking liked a kicked puppy while remembering how she practically was pushing him out the door with her words by how she had convinced him to leave her be.

  "She seems nice." Eren sitting back down scoffed. If this girl was his fiancé than she shouldn't be pushing out a future mate. Who does that?

  Reiner however shook his head at Eren's slightly sarcastic remark. "I don't blame her, she just doesn't like it when people see her when she is feeling weak."

  "But if you are going to be mated, why should she be so afraid to open up to you?" Eren asked, slightly frustrated that this guy didn't seem to mind that this girl seemed to be shutting him out by everything he's heard so far.

  "And that's why you don't have any friends Eren."

  Eren dead pans at Marcel's comment, but couldn't say anything as he was right. It became sort of a bad habit for him to voice his opinion in front of everyone.

  "She will open up eventually. She used to be very kind and caring, but ever since the death of most of her family she has become somewhat isolated." Reiner didn't seem to mind that Eren was feeling negative about his fiancé at all, something the Jaeger was a bit surprised at. Any friends he made tended to be gone the next second cause he always disagreed with something about them. And apparently if you don't agree with everyone's opinion, you're considered trash that no one wants to deal with, left alone on the table or floor.

  "How long has she been like that?" Eren asked, wanting to know more.

  "I, I can't remember how long." Reiner chuckled half heartedly about the situation.

  Reiner almost choked on his air in surprise when Marcel slapped his back playfully.

  "Okay Reiner I'm tired of seeing you look like a sappy kid who just got caught sneaking cookies. Let's change the subject." Marcel rather demands as he sends a glare at Eren for making the moment gloomy. "Did you know that Eren is training with Annie ?"

  Reiner looked at Eren with raised eye brows, "Really? When did this happen?"

  "They met yesterday after a match at the games." Marcel replied the question for Eren.

  "Wow, well I have to say I'm a bit surprised. Annie almost never does stuff like that for other people other than for herself. She must really like you."

  Eren blinked, feeling a bit of heat on his face at the idea that Annie could be training just because she is crushing on him. But she doesn't seem like that type of girl, then again he barely knows much about her. But still he knew Reiner most likely meant his skills if anything.

  "Really?"

  "Yeah. She did go a round with me once, but I was just trying to show off. Despite her size she had my feet over my shoulder in one second." Reiner smirked at Eren's wowed expression.

  "She flipped you?" That was indeed impressive.

  "Yeah and Bertholdt as well who is much taller than me. But he's not a fighter so it's not really as surprising." Reiner smirked as he finally laid back, his arms crossed as he was lightening up from the earlier conversation.

  "Who's Bertholdt?" Eren asked, feeling curious to know those acquainted to his teacher.

  "He's a close friend of mine. You should meet him, he is a very nice person to be around, albeit he is shy." Reiner replied, putting a lot of emphasize on the word "shy".

  "Well when the time comes I would love to meet them." Eren said as his eyes searched for a clock on the wall. "What time is it Marcel?"

  The boy shrugged and pointed towards the kitchen. "How should I know?"

  Reiner and Marcel were exchanging words to one another as Eren walked into the kitchen to see it was almost time for supper.

  "Shit!" Eren turned around swiftly, his shoe squeaking as he ran back out of the kitchen and towards the door.

  "Sorry Marcel but I gotta get home, tell Zeke I said hi!" Eren called just as he shut the door with a none intended loud slam.

  "Of course." Marcel rolled his eyes as he cringed at the small ring in his ears.

*

*

*

  "How'd it go Eren?" Grisha seemed to just have arrived, his white sleeves were rolled up and his hands in the sink as he was washing up from his work to prepare for supper.

  "My fucking ass hurts!" Eren groans as he had just entered the kitchen and sat down awaiting to help his mom with setting the table.

  Carla dropped the wooden spoon she had currently been using to mix soup with and glanced at Eren with a shocked golden eyes.

  "Eren! Language!"