The Aftermath (Eren x Reader)

2: Home Sweet Home

"So, the world is at peace now?" Eren asked.

I walked alongside Eren down the hall of the prison. "Yes, it's at peace because of you."

"But you obviously had something to do with it." 

I hesitated slightly. "I... simply convinced them that you are a good person."

Eren looked away, ashamed of his past actions. "Me, a good person. You're wrong if you think any of what I did could be justified."

I grabbed Eren's sleeve and tugged him so that he would look at me. "Well, it has been justified. You're free now."

Eren couldn't believe it. Was he truly free after all this time? So many lives sacrificed and the world is just fine with his actions. He felt his heart sink with guilt at the thought of it.

"They forgave me... They forgave me despite the atrocities I committed?" His voice was filled with regret and sorrow.

"Yes. Because you didn't do it with ill intentions. The world needed to be reset. I know what people used to say about you. That you had a God complex. But guess what... New Paradis doesn't believe that anymore."

Eren now sighed. The exit to the prison was just a few steps away. He stopped walking. "Well, I'll believe you for now. I just don't know what to do or where to go once I exit here."

"Eren," I said softly. "Until you can figure your shit out, you can come live with me."

He was surprised by the sudden proposition. "Why would someone like you want me around?"

I eyed him mischievously now, thinking of a way to lighten the mood. "I mean... I can think of a few things I could do with you."

It took a moment for him to understand my suggestive comment, and his cheeks slightly turned pink. "I'm sorry, would you please repeat that?"

I smirked widely. "I'm pretty sure a single, cute girl like me could find a great use for a single, cute boy like you, don't you think?"

Eren now chuckled as he realized he heard me right the first time. He scratched the back of his neck in a cute manner. He checked me out briefly. He tried to maintain eye contact but he couldn't. He looked utterly adorable when he was shy. My heart couldn't take it.

"I mean... I wouldn't complain." Eren finally whispered, barely audible. 

I felt a tingle course through my body, and I cleared my throat. I could see the exit door right ahead of us. 

I could tell Eren was delaying. He was afraid. He was afraid to see the new world. He was afraid he had no part in it. And I was adamant to show him otherwise.

"Come on, you don't have anywhere else to go right now." I now said in all seriousness. "You can stay with me as long as long as you like. You're not pressured or forced to stay with me forever! Now, stop delaying. Get a move on!"

I shoved Eren from behind, forcing him to walk outside the prison doors. 

"Alright, alright!" he said. "A place to stay does sound nice."

We finally make it past the prison doors and Eren's face is completely transformed into one of awe and child-like wonder.

As the first wave of fresh air passed through his hair, he inhaled the sweet scent of nature that was around him. It was not what he had expected. He believed he would for sure only see destruction and mutilated landscape with forest fires, smoke, and ash. But it was the complete opposite. In the horizon, he could see a modern looking city with buildings, roads, and cars.