𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍; 𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍

50

The morning sunlight bathed the room in a soft, golden glow, casting a warm ambiance that seemed to reflect the love that enveloped you and Eren. Two weeks had passed since your hearts had entwined, and now, nestled together in the comfort of your shared bed, you were about to face the grim reality of Grisha's decision to send both Eren and his brother Zeke to the frontlines of an impending war. Your fingers danced gently along Eren's chest, tracing invisible lines as if you wanted to etch his very essence into your memory. Eren's eyes, tender and affectionate, were locked onto yours as if he were trying to memorize every nuance of your face. The deep connection between you two seemed to permeate the air, making the morning even more soothing, despite the heavy conversation that awaited.

"Eren, I can't believe how quickly these two weeks have passed," you whispered, your voice barely louder than a breath.

He leaned in, capturing your lips with his own, a sweet and lingering kiss that spoke of devotion and longing. When he finally pulled away, he looked into your eyes, his gaze unwavering. "It feels like a dream, being with you. I wish I could hold on to this moment forever Venus."

You reached out, tracing your fingers along the contours of his face, cherishing the feel of his skin against yours. "I feel the same way, but... we need to talk about what lies ahead."

He nodded, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I know, love...I know. It's a decision I can't change you know that, no matter how much... I wish to."

You sighed, letting your head rest against his chest as you listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "Please promise me you'll be careful out there." He stayed silent and grasped your hand in his own and sighed.

"I can't promise such a thing..."

"I know..." He smiled down at you, but all he could see was the pain in your eyes. He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you closer.

"What I can promise... is that I will try my hardest to fight for what I believe in and.... That I promise to come back to you, no matter what. Whether I am back to you in a box or alive and well... our love will be my guiding light."

"God... don't be so morbid..." You chuckled as tears welled up in your eyes, but you blinked them away, choosing to savor the moment you had together instead. The love that you shared was a sanctuary, a place where everything felt right, even in the face of uncertainty. "Remember this morning," you said softly, "and hold it in your heart. It will remind you of the love we share, no matter how far apart we are."

Eren kissed the top of your head and held you tighter. "I will, Venus. I love you more than words can express, and nothing will ever change that." The two of you lingered in each other's embrace, cherishing the warmth of the morning sun and the depth of your love. Whatever lay ahead, you both knew that your bond would remain unbreakable. As you held each other close, you felt a pang of sorrow in the air, knowing that the inevitable departure was imminent. The weight of the impending separation hung heavy in your hearts.

"You'll be leaving this afternoon, won't you?" you asked, your voice tinged with melancholy.

Eren nodded, his eyes clouded with sadness. "Today will be the last day we'll see each other for some time. Zeke and I are being sent to the frontlines. The preparations have already begun." You buried your face in the crook of his neck, your lips brushing against his skin as you breathed in his comforting scent.

"I'll miss you, Eren."

He held you tighter, his embrace a source of solace in the face of adversity. "I'll miss you too... Venus, more than you can imagine. But we'll get through this together, no matter how far apart we are, right?"

In that moment, the two of you vowed to cherish every remaining minute, to create memories that would keep your love strong throughout the impending trials. The morning sunlight bathed you in its gentle warmth, as if nature itself were granting you a fleeting respite before the storm.

———

Your voice quivered as panic set in. "I can't believe they're leaving now. Why didn't anyone inform me?"

"I thought you knew," Sasha replied with a hint of concern.

"No! I had no idea?!" You didn't have time to dwell on it. With your heart pounding, you rushed out of the kitchen, gathering the folds of your dress to avoid tripping. As you reached the courtyard, your eyes fell upon Eren and Zeke already mounted on their horses. They were accompanied by Captain Levi and a group of soldiers, all ready for their imminent departure. The sight sent a sharp pang through your chest, and you stood frozen, staring at the colossal castle doors, which were slowly closing.

You could see Eren, his eyes scanning the courtyard one last time, and he spotted you standing near the entrance. A flicker of sadness crossed his face, but it soon transformed into a bittersweet smile. With a heavy heart, you raised your hand toward him, longing for his touch, for one last connection before he left. Your outstretched fingers trembled, but Eren was just out of reach.

Suddenly, a firm hand rested on your shoulder. It was the king, Grisha, whose thumb pressed against your shoulder blade. He, too, watched the departure of his sons, and your eyes remained locked on the slowly vanishing face of Eren. As the grand doors shut, a deep sense of loss enveloped you, and tears welled up in your eyes. You couldn't shake the feeling that something precious was slipping away, and there was nothing you could do to stop it.

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒦꒷

𑁍┊-TiredBunBun