2024 Oneshots

☠Day 5 (Jean & Reiner x Fem!Reader)

The late afternoon sun beats down on the group as they trudge back towards the barracks after a long day of training. Their bodies are sore, sweat clings to their skin, but the energy around them is light and familiar.

Eren walks at the front, his steps slowing as they near their usual spot by the barracks wall, where they've often gathered after a long day. The others follow- Connie, Jean, Armin, and Reiner among the group- falling into a loose circle.

"Finally," Connie groans, collapsing onto the grass, "Another day of this and I'm going to forget what walking normally feels like."

Eren laughs softly, plopping down beside him, stretching his legs. "You're always complaining, Connie."

"Because you're all monsters!" Connie shoots back. "I'm a normal person. You and Mikasa, though- absolute freaks."

Eren's grin fades slightly at the mention of Mikasa, and Armin glances over at him with a raised eyebrow. Sensing the shift, Connie, ever the instigator, leans in, his voice dropping conspiratorially. "Speaking of freaks... Eren, what's going on with you and Mikasa? We all know she's been glued to your side since we were kids but lately..."

Eren makes a face, shaking his head with a half-laugh. "I don't have a crush on her if that's what you're asking. I've told you that a hundred times."

"Sure, sure," Connie smirks, unconvinced. "But what about Historia, huh? Everyone's noticed how you've been acting around her lately."

Eren shrugs, clearly uncomfortable but trying not to let it show. "It's not like that."

"Oh, come on, Eren," Jean cuts in, rolling his eyes as he wipes the sweat from his forehead. "Who else could it be?"

Eren leans back on his hands, grinning but shaking his head. "You guys have wild imaginations."

"Mm, maybe... Hey, what about you, Armin?" Connie says, shifting gears without missing a beat. He nudges Armin with his elbow, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "You've been extra quiet lately. Still got a thing for Annie, huh?"

Armin's face flushes almost instantly. "I- no, it's not like that..." he stammers, but it's no use. The knowing looks on the faces of his friends say they've already gotten their answer.

"Yeah, sure," Jean scoffs, but there's no malice in his voice, just the usual teasing. "We can all see it, you know."

Armin rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, offering a half-smile. "It's complicated..."

Connie snickers. "You're just saying that 'cause she spent all that time literally locked in a crystal. Talk about unavailable."

The group bursts into laughter, and for a moment, the pressure is off. But as the laughter dies down, Connie's mischievous eyes land squarely on Jean, forming a devilish smirk.

"Alright, Jean-boy, it's your turn," Connie says, his voice dripping with amusement. "We all know you've got someone in mind."

Jean's body tenses instantly, but he tries to brush it off with a casual shrug. His love life has been nearly as complicated as Armin's. "Not playing this game," he mutters, focusing on the dirt under his boots.

"Aw, come on, Jean," Eren chimes in, a grin tugging at his lips. "You've always got something to say. Why so quiet now?"

Jean can feel their eyes on him- Connie's teasing, Eren's half-curiosity, half-amusement, and even Armin's quiet attention. But what really makes his heart race is the awareness of Reiner sitting a few feet away, silent and watching. Reiner has always been good at staying out of these conversations, but Jean can feel the weight of his gaze now, as if he already knows the answer before anyone else does.