Deception

Chapter Three

-Reader POV-

"You think he's going to pass?"

"I have some faith that he does. I'd also be trying my hardest if I couldn't do it the first time."

"But you did do it the first time, (Y/N). You don't even have to worry even if you wanted to."

"I know but I'm still worried. It's sad to see someone who has big dreams can't even get past the first stage of trouble."

"... Are you always going to be like this?"

"Wouldn't you want me to be concerned if you were up there?" There was silence from Ymir and that's when you knew you had won the conversation.

"Don't worry, I'll still give you attention. Jealousy doesn't look good on you..." You playfully pinched Ymir's arm and she glared at you, tugging a clump of your arm in retaliation.

You watched as Eren get lifted into the air, balancing the weight in his legs and keeping his core steady, doing as much minimal swinging as possible. The longer he stayed in the air, the more faith people had returned to them.

But the moment only lasted for a few seconds before Eren was back upside down again. "W-Wait, I can still do this! Just give me another chance--"

"Lower cadet Yeager."

You grimaced with guilt. You had some faith in Eren but it seemed like it didn't pay off. Not everything could work out in everyone's favor.

"Wagner, switch belts with Yeager." Eren was surprised at the command but did so, dread and uneasiness on his face the entire time.

When he managed to get done, he got strapped back into the machine and Thomas began lifting him into the air. For a few moments, he stayed in the air, doing little to no swinging. The longer he stayed up, the longer his hope began to return and people began to recognize it.

"Your equipment was defective. The belt you were using had a broken clasp..." Shadis explain as Eren began to grow brighter and everyone around him was filled with amazement.

"I've never heard of this part breaking before; I guess we'll have to add it to the maintenance checklist."

"Then, even with broken equipment, he still managed to?!"

"Whoa!"

"Th-Then, am I still fit to be a soldier?!"

Shadis gave a huff and flicked his nose upwards. "You pass muster. Train hard!"

You gave a soft tug of your lips as Eren inwardly celebrated, something that didn't go unnoticed by Ymir.

"Seems like suicidal blockhead number one did it. Did you help him?" Jean perked up next to you, leaning against you with his arm on your head to support him.

"I did. Is anything wrong with that?" You asked, pushing Jean's arm off of you and glaring up at him.

"No, not at all. Just making an observation." You didn't know what Jean meant by that so you simply shook it off as nothing. Ymir sure didn't.

.
..
...

"We're already starting with this? I figured Shadis would give us a few days before we start zipping through the forest like the pros. And these blades... Do they think it's okay to give something like this to kids?"

"Jean, you are a kid."

"And you're a fucking ant but we're not gonna talk about that. Or are you worried that I'll do better than you?"