A Rose by Any Other Name [Yandere!LevixReaderxYandere!Eren]

Weakness

It had been nearly a month since I'd joined the Survey Corps, and everything seemed to be progressing smoothly. Every day I grew stronger through rigorous training and exercises. I'd even earned the respect of my peers- growing closer and closer to the other members with every passing afternoon.

Still, I felt somewhat unfulfilled.

Immediately, a pair of dark eyes came to mind, like bare earth after the rain.

"Levi..." Eren said, and I choked on my drink.

"Wha,what?" I asked, surprised.

"He seems distracted lately, don't you think?" Eren placed his chin in his hand, meeting my gaze.

"I, I haven't noticed." I lied. Eren lifted an eyebrow.

"Really. You should know by know that you can't lie to me _____. I know you think you always wear a poker face, but the reality is you wear your heart on your sleeve." Eren's cool green gaze bore into my own, his unspoken words hanging in the air between us, their hidden meaning begging to be read.

I know you better than anyone else.

Because I care about you more than anyone else...

I quickly stood, face flushing.

"I forgot! I'm in charge of cleaning the stables tonight!" I said, glad for an honest excuse to leave. Eren's eyes shifted, a nearly indistinguishable change in expression. He'd closed himself off again. He smiled.

"Yeah, well, I'll see you tomorrow then." His voice was brittle. I felt my chest contract. Then, without another word, I hurried outside.

He'd been like this for a while now. Dropping subtle hints through his eyes, through his words. It was like he wanted to tell me his feelings, but was too afraid of being denied.

And yet denied he was, time and time again; by excuses to leave, by my careful avoidance.

We used to always be together.

Now I was afraid. Because if I gave him too much attention, he might get the wrong idea. I had my heart set on someone else.

Working in the stables was one of my favorite chores. I liked being around the horses, their presence was calming- reassuring. I could talk to them as I worked, or spend hours in nothing but silence, with only the sound of their breath and the occasional whinny to remind me of where I was.

Today I chose silence, my mind mulling over Eren's recent behavior and, my favorite topic as of late, the Lance Corporal.

Just the thought of him sent an electric shiver down my spine. I wondered what distracted him. I worried, I fretted, though it was not my duty to do so. He was humanity's finest soldier. The strongest among the strong. He didn't need my sympathy. He didn't need my empathy. Even now I was weak, even now I was soft. I thought of Eren who courageously opened his heart to me every day. I thought of me, unable to speak the truth, avoiding his confession.

Delicate.

That's when I saw it. A mouse. The creature took no notice of me, its small form blending in with the shadows around it. It gazed at me with a pair of black bead like eyes, nose twitching. Reaching into one of the horses troughs, I removed some kernels and tossed it in the mouse's direction.

"Keep trying." I whispered to it. The creature picked up some of the kernels before disappearing into a whole in the wall.

"Someday, surely..." I broke off, suddenly feeling as though I were being watched. Turning, I was met with a pair of dark eyes.

"______." The Lance Corporal acknowledged, his voice stern and emotionless as always. I felt my cheeks flush.

"Corporal..." How could I react in a situation such as this? Levi remained silent, his gaze still holding mine.

"Tch." He turned, breaking eye contact, leaving me alone once again.

***** ***** *****

Outside the stables, Levi walked briskly, only pausing once he was a good distance away. Then he lifted his shaking hand, grabbing at his pounding heart.

What was this.

What was this?

"Keep trying."

"Someday, surely..."

The memory of her-silhouetted in shadows, her eyes dancing in the flickering light with passion- it made him dizzy.

Gentle.

Even when no one was looking, she possessed an indescribable kindness, an empathy with human life that even he could not quite understand.

"_______." Her name left him with a bitter sweet flavor on his lips.

And suddenly he was left wondering what her lips tasted like.