The 13-Year Campaign

Chapter 13

Finally, you reached the cave. It was just wide enough to create a fire and be a comfortable distance apart from each other. You started building fire since it did not require you to move that much after Eren gathered some wood. You laid the correct structure while on the ground. He set up the tarps on opposite sides of the area.

When you finally created flames and they grew, you shivered noisily and put your hands close to the flames. The warmth spread through your palms and seemed to crawl all over your body. you closed your eyes and sighed happily.

eren finished his work and looked at you over his shoulder. Just a few hours ago, you both were arguing over your wanting to take a dip in one of the lakes. A snarky part of him wanted to ask if you enjoyed your swim but any anger he felt was long gone. It was hard to be mad at a young shivering girl with clear injuries, even for him. You always had been so calculated and proper, so your antics today were surprising. You had always been scoring high marks on the trial before this, with compliments from your team. Something must have happened, but he could not imagine what. your restlessness was concerning.

Eren took a seat next to you. He did not outstretch his hands to the flames and just watched yours. The red on your nose and sniffling sounds from your nostrils made it clear you were going to wake up with a lingering cold. He was fine and did not feel sick in the slightest.

"Aren't you from the north?" he asked. "I'm surprised you're more sensitive to cold than me."

You silently leaned your head back onto the cave wall, pushing out your injured leg towards the fire. You swallowed your pain with your head tilted back. It was clear Eren would get no response. Eren lazily put his hand out and felt the heat on his arm and hand. You listened to the crackling of the fire and the roar of thunder. Eventually, the downpour subsided, and the thunder became louder. You both liked the booming of it, and it put you both at ease. The way your body would quake and vibrate was rejuvenating. It relaxed you both and instinctively, your shoulders let go of any tension at the same time.

Eren looked to see if you stopped shivering. "You should come closer to the fire."

"I am fine here but thank you."

He looked back at the fire and his eyes slid up to your leg from your feet close to the flames. Underneath the back of your knee was red and the pants were torn. Blood had begun to draw a line down your leg, and dripping. But despite that injury, you had swum well enough to find him and get you both to shore. He had noticed prior to this your defined shoulder muscles and your affinity for water it seemed.

"How long have you been swimming?"

My whole life," you answered. You had broken a nail and started picking at it.

"In the North?"

"I did spend some time down in the eastern and southern parts."

Eren hummed. "You seem really in your element."

You ripped off your nail and threw it into the fire. You sighed.

He reached out and put your arms on his shoulders. We should get you cleaned up. You are bleeding-- You tried to stand up hurriedly because of how quickly he touched you and ended up falling into his chest as he rose to catch you. "Careful, you are hurt."

You nodded and he helped you to the further part of the cave wall where he settled you and began tending to your leg. The fire had dried your pants for the most part but they were still damp. For once, Eren was overprepared and gave you one of his pairs. Your teeth were still chattering so you did not fight his offering and held it in your arms as you worked. You sat them next to you as Eren started using his kit to help you out and slipped off your boot.

"Sorry, for getting too close to the edge and stranding us," you said through gritted teeth as Eren started to add antiseptic.

"Not your fault. We have never been in these conditions, and you could not predict what would have happened. You are not from these parts either." He pulled his body back and tore his eyes from your leg to your face. His expression was so calm. "But it was pretty stupid."

You shifted your weight as the stinging subsided. "Easy, Suicidal Bastard."

Eren ignored your comment. His nickname did not bother him as much as it should. Your ankle was swollen but the cool air felt nice against it. Eren's eyebrows raised at your sudden cry. He looks at you, and then back at your ankle, he can feel the damaged tissue, but it is not completely torn.

"It's sprained. This means your ankle will hurt for a few days, but it will heal."

"Right, right." you winced. You were so exhausted that this injury was more painful than anything. You closed your eyes, expecting him to be rough but his hands were surprisingly meticulous and gentle. The way he moved your leg, pressed down on your pelvis to lessen the pain of him moving you around, and how tenderly he wiped away any grime. He had paid attention in classes more than anyone else, so it was not surprising. His bright eyes focused on your injury. You watched his face as the rain fell. His resting expression was always so aggressive looking, but his eyes were always so readable. Despite your past experiences, you found his physical touches and straightforwardness comfortable. Maybe because of how juvenile they seemed. He felt things so intensely and you understood that.

As Eren continued working, you cried out and put your hands on his shoulder. He looked at your red fingers and gave a quick encouraging squeeze before finishing. He bandaged your swollen ankle perfectly. It was clear he indeed paid attention in classes.

You panted and wiped your head.

"You alright now?"

"No," you panted, "but I will manage. Now let me see your head."

You leaned towards Eren, gently brushing his bangs to get a glimpse at his skin. There was a minor cut, and he was warm. you clicked your teeth and kept checking for a bigger gash. That small cut could not be all the damage. You noticed some cuts through his clothing but when you checked underneath the shirt, there was no broken skin. "You only have scratches."

It was puzzling, he got hit multiple times and the blood on his head was evidence of a collision, but Eren did not seem dazed at all anymore and his skin was perfectly intact.

You chalked it up to Eren having extremely good luck but puzzled that he healed so quickly.

"I'll still bandage up your head though." You pushed Eren's hair up started wrapping bandages around his forehead and urged him to not fall asleep. He watched you up close when your attention was on the top of his head. There was a little/big height difference between you two. (Following line if you are under 5'5": You pulled his head down closer to your eyes to get a better look. His neck tugged down by your hands was uncomfortable, but he allowed you to silently work.)

He peeked at you through his eyebrows and fallen bangs at your concentrated expression. Your visage was enamoring as any day before. Even worn you looked pretty. Eren liked your head wraps and scarves. They were always complimentary to your skin and even the one shoved in your pocket he liked. It was black and shapely, but its unassuming appearance accentuated your face. The dark skin, almond eyes, and soft lips on a sculpted face were striking. Your hair always braided hair made him curious. The rows and designs you played with upon your head were unlike anything he'd ever seen. He was seeing you up close after a year of near disdain. Your beauty was noted by him and others, but your personality was all he really cared about. Your softness made you popular, but he was uninterested because of it. You came off as standoffish when you were shy and your prowess in training made you seem untouchable. That image you had could be more like Mikasa than Krista. He had finally put that together.

Once you finished bandaging Eren's head, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He leaned back against the wall of the cave to your right and tried to relax his body.