AOT Oneshots ~ x reader

Dear Y/n (Eren x Reader)

He was strong, rash, and veritably fearless. It was such characteristics that made him the infamous Eren Jaeger- a boy seemingly unfazed by any challenge.. His teal eyes glinted upon landing on you, the fiery spark they held was soon doused with nerve. He couldn't it explain it at first, though it was merely a denial of the obvious. The hearty smiles you exchanged as you passed one and other were felt much deeper than a mere friendly gesture. The words he refused to speak himself were delivered by his best friend one afternoon as he sat in his usual space under the oak tree.

Armin joined him as usual, though they strangely did not engage in conversation. Eren sheepishly glanced to where you sat with Sasha and Connie. He often felt himself smiling in unison with you as you chuckled with the pair. Armin couldn't help but notice that he too often reverted to staring in your direction. A knowing smile preluded his observation- "You like Y/N don't you?" The dark haired boy stared into the cornflower eyes of his friend, his attempt at feigning surprise futile. He sighed and felt a blush upon his cheeks, "Yeah... I really do."

Armin smiled at his admittance and asked the inevitable question he rued, "Tell her."

Eren swallowed before muttering the source of his problem, "I can't..."

---

He clutched the piece of paper in his hands, scrutinising it's every word for likely the tenth time. He was severely conflicted- the honest words and accompanying running ink messily making them up showed that.

He gave it a final read before sealing his decision:

Dear Y/N,

I've liked you for a long time. I was too scared to tell you in person. Please don't show anyone this.

Signed, Eren x

It was a short and rather blunt letter, even so he felt he was tip-toeing around the topic. Folding it away he placed it in his breast pocket before preparing for a day of various drills. Truth be told, it was not the thought of hand to hand combat that prematurely fatigued him but more so the task of having to discreetly slip you the letter.

Of all people he was paired with his greatest rival- the one and only Jean Kirstein. He in no way resented Jean, though too often was annoyed by his attitude and cocky disposition. At last he'd be able to channel that frustration and maintain his fighting skills whilst doing so.

In a manoeuvre that was basic and usually easily evaded when undistracted, Jean reduced Eren to a prisoner in a vice like headlock. His mahogany strands fell and obscured his vision as he somewhat rested there. He ignored Jean's taunting and instead focused on the small fragments of your fighting form his vision was allowed. You were graceful yet immensely quick and deadly it seemed. Despite that, you smiled and kindly offered your partner a hand to steady themself as they rose again. Eren dropped forward slightly as he was released without warning. Jeans forearm had unintentionally brushed against the sealed pocket housing the letter, consequently prying it open. His knees caught him before he fell completely, though the white piece of paper unknowingly fluttered free of it's shallow compartment and rested at his side. Eren stood up, brushing his hair from his face.

"Heh, why didn't you hit me? Too scared?" Jean mocked.

His sparring partner merely retorted the following in a manner of nonchalance. "If I did i'd be arrested for animal abuse."

Jean's brows joined in irritation as he was unable to articulate an equally as snide remark. Instead he lowered for a moment before beginning to charge, only to be halted in his tracks seconds later. Eren paused in his own countering stance, his eyes fixed on the same folded scrap of paper as his rival. Immediately he lunged forward to grab it, though was pushed aside.