A couple of days passed. Despite the recovery time, Eren was still feeling pretty off, though it might be something to do with the fact that he was about to go on an expedition. It was common for him to get this way, though he had been on several different expeditions already; he wasn't too sure why he still felt this nervous. Nevertheless, he was panicking slightly.
"What if we get eaten by a titan though?" Eren was constantly asking the commander, hoping that his anxieties wouldn't become a reality.
"For the last time-" Erwin sighed, his eyebrows furrowed slightly as he looked at him. "We won't be eaten. I won't let you be eaten, alright?" As he said this, he walked up behind him and pulled him into his arms. A light smiled appeared on his face as he relaxed, holding the boy in a close embrace. "I care about you, so much..."
Eren leant back into his arms, smiling a little himself though there's was a gnawing sensation in the pit of his stomach. "You're right." He lied, breaking into a sweat and closing his eyes. "We'll be okay."
Oh how wrong he was.
Once the day of the expedition arrived, Eren could only feel himself growing increasingly anxious about the trip. He was constantly having panic attacks, although when Erwin offered to leave him behind he instantly refused.
"No- I have to go!" He would tell him. "I need to help humanity!"
But even with these outbursts, Eren could feel himself slowly slipping into a state of madness as he worried about the expedition; All he wanted was to spend more time with Erwin.
"Can't we just postpone-"
"Eren, no. We don't have to money. I promise you. We will be okay. I won't let anyone hurt you. You will be safe."
Erwin carefully hoisted himself up onto the horse he was riding; The aim of this mission was simply to claim back land they had lost. Nothing more. Nothing less. He looked back and saw Eren nervous and sweaty, still not on his horse. "Eren, come on."
Eren nodded, but he reached over for the bucket next to him and quickly hid his face in it, trying not to attract the blondes attention as he swiftly brought up his breakfast again in nerves. Though he knew Erwin was next to him as he felt a pair of hands holding back his hair.
"I honestly don't think you're up for this expedition-" Erwin started.
"I'm fine!" Eren said hoarsely, looking up at him white-faced and sweaty. "I'm just... Just scared I'm gonna lose you is all..." He closed his eyes and sighed shakily, putting the bucket back down on the floor.
Erwin sighed. "Eren..."
"I'm fine." He repeated shortly, lifting himself up onto his horse with trembling hands and setting himself on the saddle. "Just don't die."
Erwin nodded slowly, before mounting his horse again. "If you're sure..." He looked at him again. "You'll be okay. I won't stop loving you. Ever." He looked forward again, raising his flare into the air and shooting before starting to charge into the forest. The formation split, and they began the expedition.
A few hours later, Eren was getting even worse than he already was. The formation had broken completely, and Eren hadn't a clue where anyone was. An hour ago he had lost Levi and his squad and had to stop twice to throw up, narrowly missing a titan. He was trying his ultimate hardest to find somebody, hopefully Erwin. And he was overjoyed when he spotted the blonde up ahead.
"Erwin!" He called, smiling weakly and sighing in relief.
"Eren!" Erwin looked back, and was also smiling, before his face dropped. "Eren!" He yelled, his voice a lot less soft and calm before. "Behind you-" He quickly climbed off of his horse and onto his 3DMG though he was too late; Eren had turned around and was already in the Titans grip, screaming and crying for help as his blades were dropped.
"Erwin-" He yelled, screaming out in agony as he felt his lower half being torn away from his body. He looked down and screamed again, both of his legs missing from his body. The sight was sickening; Blood was furiously spurting out from where his legs should've been and Eren could already feel himself growing fainter and fainter. The grip around his body released and he fell into a pair of arms, before realising Erwin had killed the titan for him. A small smile etched it's way onto his face, despite the fact that Erwin was now crying, something that nobody had ever seen before.
"Eren- Y-your body-" He lowered down onto the ground, falling to his knees and clutching what was left of Eren tight to his chest. Blood was soaking through his uniform but he didn't care, he had to keep Eren alive... He had to...
"Sssh..." Eren smiled weakly and pls ed a shaking finger at his lips, his eyes opening and closing slowly. "I'm okay, alright? I'm here... With you... And, I always will be..." His finger moved down to his chest, just above where his heart was. "I'm... S-sorry I waited so long to tell you... But... These p-past couple of days have been the... Best... D-days of my life... And I'll never thank you enough... Erwin..
I-I love... You... Just don't die..." And with that his eyes glassed over, no longer moving. His trembling body became limp and he was silent.
"E-Eren!" Erwin's eyes widened and he looked at his face, his body trembling violently as he shook him. "Eren wake up- Eren please wake up!" The blonde was now sobbing harder than ever, unable to contain the loud cries from escaping him as the other lay still in his arms. The sound of trotting horses was heard though Erwin didn't stop crying, still holding onto Eren tight. "Eren!" He yelled, crying hard next to the boys hair and hugging him close to his chest. "Eren, you have to wake up!You'll be okay... I won't stop loving you... E-ever..."
