The Pauper Prince || Attack on Titan x Male Reader

Pawn's Gambit

(Y/n): My life began as a young boy on a simple farm. Our family made a modest living as pig farmers though we did sometimes have sheep when the year was particularly well. I have a brother and we lived wonderfully, sometimes venturing into the nearby village. However, when I turned six my life changed.

You spoke to the other recruits around you, not really taking note of anyone in particular. They seemed interested enough in your story as you transferred from the porch of a building in the direction of the cafe.

???: What happened?

(Y/n): My mother died. We were never told how or why but she was suddenly gone, ripped from the life of my brother and myself. My father took the loss extremely hard and one day just took my brother and left... That was the day I learned who his favorite was and I was left in the care of my uncle, his wife, and my grandparents. They did a wonderful job taking my mind off of it and I lived a wonderful life for the next several years, playing and working the land. I enjoyed helping others and I often found myself more and more in the nearby village. Then... it happened.

You sat down with your tray, a few members of the original group still listening closely as others around you began telling their own stories. You took a bite of your food and looked up to see Eren and a few others still awaiting your story. Well, at least it was a pleasant distraction from the horrid food. 

(Y/n): The common factor in a lot of our stories. Wall Maria was shattered and Shiganshina's inner wall collapsed as well. 

You saw Eren lower his head a bit. You offered your pity to him but many people here were in a much similar spot as him and you didn't want to censor your story to save the feelings of a few. You cleared your throat and continued.

(Y/n): It took some time for word to reach our ears and when it did, my uncle decided to find my father and hopefully come up with a plan from there. What sort of plan I don't know really. Father of course managed to scrape together his rotten luck and was something of a minor noble. He allowed our family to stay at his manor but constantly called it a "temporary investment". Uncle and father constantly got into arguments about one thing or another in regards to the family business and how money was being handled as well as my father remarrying and other things. Then...

You gulped softly as you remembered the next few details, taking another bite of your food to clear the growing taste in your mouth.

(Y/n): The reclamation forces were made or whatever they were called. My father managed to get excluded from the call being nobility or whatever. However, my uncle and grandparents volunteered... they choose to give their lives in the hopes that others could live in their stead... 

???: I'm sorry to hear that (L/n).

(Y/n): No please don't pity me, countless people can say the same thing. But for me... it marked something in my mind that will never change. It was the day I stopped simply living as the second son, the spare... it was the day I was forced to be a pawn in my father's games and the day my hatred finally burned brighter than my need for his care. Even the reason I'm sitting here is that... that waste of human space decided a military career would like nice on a noble's son.

You sat back in your seat, your dull gaze directed at your food to avoid the stares of your fellow recruits. You didn't want them to see you as a spoiled noble or a sorrowful kid.

Eren: Well... you can forget about him.

Your (E/c) eyes lifted and met Eren's, his seemingly neverending passion meeting your tired resolve.