“Again!”

A familiar voice cut through the air like a whip. It struck the morning silence like thunder, each syllable rippling down your spine in cold waves. Soldiers, lined in perfect formation, answered in unison: “Yes, sir!”

Captain Levi had put Eren in charge of training—again. Which meant hell for you.

Since Erwin Smith’s death, the 13th Commander of the Survey Corps, everything had shifted. Levi rarely left his office, buried under endless paperwork in his new role as commander. Your friends—once reckless and full of laughter—had grown somber and hardened, as if joy had become too dangerous to hold onto.

And Eren…

He wasn’t the same boy you’d grown up with.

His face, once so animated with stubborn determination, had become a mask of stone. His eyes held nothing but contempt for the world—a quiet rage simmering beneath the surface. He pushed everyone away, even Armin and Mikasa.

And you? You barely existed to him anymore.

The only time Eren acknowledged you was when he needed to redirect you—an order barked, a dismissive wave of his hand, nothing more.

He never let you train, never allowed you to set foot beyond the walls. Every time you asked, he shut you down without hesitation.

So you stopped asking. Instead, you learned in secret, studying from the shadows, memorizing the movements of your fellow soldiers. Like now—hidden behind a bush like some stalker—mimicking how to handle your ODM gear properly.

You were so focused that you didn’t hear the footsteps until it was too late.

A hand suddenly seized the back of your shirt, yanking you off balance. “Hey!” you gasped, twisting against your captor’s grip.

“Caught her spying,” Jean muttered flatly, dragging you forward and shoving you in Eren’s direction.

Emerald eyes bore into yours, devoid of the warmth they once held. With a subtle nod, he dismissed Jean, then reached for his jacket, sliding it on with sharp, deliberate movements.

“How many times do I have to tell you to stay away?” His voice was clipped, heavy with restrained anger.