Attack on Titan X Male reader

Rekindled Bonds

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Fading Ties

As Y/n stood on the training grounds, the familiar sounds of their peers filled the air: the thud of feet against the dirt, the sharp whoosh of swords slicing through the air, and the rhythmic chants of encouragement that echoed between the trees. The excitement buzzed like a current, and Y/n felt the energy surging within them, stronger than ever. The sunlight cast a warm glow over everything, and it felt like a fresh start.

“Y/n!” Armin called, waving excitedly from across the training area. His face lit up with a smile that made Y/n's heart swell. It was good to see him again, and even better to be back among their friends.

“Ready to get started?” Y/n replied, feeling the weight of solitude begin to lift. They moved towards Armin, their steps light and eager.

The training regimen they had devised together was intense. With Y/n’s new ability to never feel tired or fatigued, they found themselves improving at an astonishing pace. They could spend hours perfecting their skills without the usual exhaustion that would come after a rigorous session. It felt exhilarating to be back in the flow of teamwork and strategy with Armin.

As the day progressed, Y/n and Armin worked closely together, focusing on aerial maneuvers and combat techniques. Y/n demonstrated a newfound skill in executing complex flips and rapid descents from high branches, landing gracefully every time. Armin watched, mesmerized by Y/n's progression, his eyes shining with pride.

“You’re incredible, Y/n!” Armin exclaimed, his enthusiasm contagious. “You’ve really honed your skills. I can hardly keep up!”

“Thanks, Armin. I feel like I can finally push my limits,” Y/n replied, a genuine smile spreading across their face. “Training with you again has made all the difference.”

As they took a breather, Y/n glanced around the training ground. Eren and Mikasa were nearby, practicing their own drills. They moved in perfect synchrony, Eren’s boisterous energy complementing Mikasa’s fluid grace. But Y/n’s heart sank as they watched. The distance Y/n had created between them and the duo felt insurmountable. It was easier to focus on training with Armin and avoid confronting their past.

“Hey, Y/n, let’s switch partners for a bit,” Armin suggested, breaking Y/n’s train of thought. “It might help us all improve.”

Y/n hesitated, the knot in their stomach tightening. “I… I don’t know if that’s a good idea. What if it gets awkward?”

Armin raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. “Why would it be awkward? They miss you, Y/n. I think they’d be glad to have you back.”

With a deep breath, Y/n looked back at Eren and Mikasa, their expressions a mixture of concentration and camaraderie. A part of them ached to join in, to be part of that bond again. But the fear of complicating things held them back.

“Maybe later,” Y/n said, trying to sound nonchalant. “Let’s just keep working together for now.”

As they resumed training, Y/n felt a simmering frustration within themselves. They wanted to break through the walls they had built, but fear was a powerful adversary.

The next few days flew by as Y/n trained diligently alongside Armin. Each session brought new challenges and breakthroughs, but the underlying tension with Eren and Mikasa remained. Y/n could feel their glances, the concern that lay hidden beneath their usual banter. It weighed on them, but they convinced themselves that this distance was necessary to protect what little stability they had carved out with Armin.

However, as Y/n continued to improve and gain recognition for their skills, they found it increasingly difficult to ignore Eren and Mikasa. One afternoon, after an intense training session, Armin suggested a group meeting to strategize for the upcoming drills.