Cracked Glass | AOT x Male Reader

Chapter 9 - The Real Beginning

"Hm." F/N's hand ran methodically against the wooden knife, fingers inspecting the gentle carvings etched into the wood. It was a replica of the steel one he always keeps on him, that servers both as a memento and the thing that creates them. Although the mid afternoon sun caught it's smooth edge, shapely hilt, and flush handle, that made this one rather unsuited for killing—a deliberate decision.

Wouldn't cut, but why would I want it to, looks good otherwise, he assessed, running a mock slice over his tanned forearm. This was his last project he'd carve over the long week, and it was the only he reckoned was worth keeping because it was the last. He'd deliberated over each small shave, and spent the majority of his free time—not that he had much to begin with—on the piece.

As he sheathed the finished product in his brown jacket, his mind wandered to those arduous years in Stohess. Back when the world was survival, sustenance, and enough coin to keep his apartment, the numerous times that sturdy blade had tasted blood was uncountable, only not because of the sheer amount but rather the horror that came with knowing. It was a weighing burden that he'd grown used to subjugating.

F/N chuckled loudly, realizing the blatant irony in his own works. His lips curled up while other's irritated stares fixed on the eccentric boy. Although to them it wasn't anything new. Today his group of cadet's last assignment before they'd all decide on their regiment, was cleaning cannons, again. But the cadet's mood wasn't exactly soured at the thought anymore as Sasha had sacked a beautiful looking cut of meat off the commandments, and was practically salivating at the thought of eating it, alongside F/N. This stolen chunk would be his first taste of the rich and privileged life.

"Hey Sasha, how'd you get by these past three years without eating meat. Just one look at it had me done in." He heaved a weighty sigh, stretching his arms over the cannon barrel and gazing down at his fellow cadet, laboring away much unlike himself. "I couldn't have survived as long as you did."

She narrowed her eyes somberly. "It certainly was tough times, all this time without hunting and eating fresh meat, but that's all behind us now! After cleaning today we feast!" She cheered, pumping her fist towards the lazy boy and smiling resolutely. Then she looked him up and down, before settling on his E/C eyes. She leaned in closer to him, propping her head on her hand. "Besides, It's not like I've been entirely starved, after all."

F/N's lips curled up slightly as his posture subconsciously fixed itself. "Oh? Is there a secret you're not letting me in on?"

"Well." She pressed a finger to her lips and looked up playfully. "Not quite. I'm really not sure how to explain it."

The cannon between them had never seemed more obvious as F/N let out an obvious shrug. "I guess you'll just have to show me then-" He barely finished his sentence before Sasha grabbed him by the collar, yanking him over the metal barrel and planting their lips together firmly. The boy let out a pleasurable hum as she straddled him, the sweet taste of honey filling his mouth.

"Ugh, can you disgusting freaks make out anywhere else!?" Eren yelled from about one cannon over, covering his bright red blush. "Seriously! Here of all places!?"

F/N's eyes rolled back, exasperated. Sasha separated their lips apart and shifted in his lap. "Sorry Eren! I, uh, forgot where we were... It won't happen again, I swear." She muttered, keeping her gaze fixed on the boy beneath.

Her eyes, they caught the light and radiated a golden brown hue. But something was off about it—too bright, too yellow. By the time F/N had noticed that a thunderbolt crackled down under a clear blue sky. It shook the ground and stone walls as if an earthquake. A gush of powerful wind and steam blew them from the wall, filling the air with the smell of burnt stone and flesh.