Soldier Child (Attack On Titan/Shingeki No Kyojin Fanfiction)

Chapter 5

"I'm sorry!" Eren apologized and bowed his head at his tiny superior. He felt so guilty. Petra was like this because of him. Had he not given her that drink, this never would have happened. No one in the Survey Corps seemed to blame him but the boy felt guilty all the same.

Eren didn't know what to feel about Squad Leader Hange. She had tricked and used him but she really hadn't meant for this to happen. The veteran soldier said she did this so they could find a better way to fight the Titans. Eren was a little angry with her but he could also understand her position. He was glad Petra was not hurt but the current situation was not great.

"Umm, why?" Petra cocked her head to the right in confusion as she looked at him from his bed. Eld had set her down on the bed in Eren's cell after Oluo quietly explained the situation to him. The white haired man had also threatened to hurt him if anything happened to Petra. Eren knew he had to be careful what he said and did around the young girl.

"Uh, nevermind..." Eren muttered. Petra didn't know why he was apologizing and it probably wouldn't end well if he tried to explain everything to her. The boy sat down on the end of the bed. The men of Squad Levi told him to keep Petra occupied but he didn't know what to do. He turned to look at her, as she looked down and awkwardly played with the hem of her long shirt. Someone would need to find her clothes that fit soon.

Eren could tell she was a little uncomfortable being here, with someone she did not remember meeting. He found it strange seeing a member of the Survey Corps in such a form. Petra had been kind to him, but she had a temper when riled and was a fierce fighter. This shy little girl was not the same woman he knew.

"Do you... Want to do something?" Eren asked, scratching his head as he tried to think of something he could do to help her become more comfortable with him. What had he done with Armin at her age? They would play outside, read fairy tales, prank their parents. Should he take her outside? There was at least another hour until the sun set.

"I... don't know." Petra hesitantly answered. She did not know this boy, though she wished she did. To her, Eren looked friendly and his green eyes were pretty.

"Okay." Eren remained awkwardly silent for a few moments. He heard a faint rumble of a stomach which was not his own. He looked over at Petra to find her with a small blush on her cheeks.

"I'm hungry." She admitted.

"Oh! Then lets go to the kitchen. We can make something." Why hadn't he asked that already? Of course she would be hungry, she hadn't eaten since she woke up! The poor girl was probably starving right now. Eren knew he would be a terrible babysitter.

"Okay." Petra responded with a smile. Eren jumped off of his bed and watched as Petra did the same, with an adorable little cry. She fixed her clothing before looking up at Eren again.

"... Eren?"

"Yeah?"

"Why am I wearing these big clothes and not my own?"

"Ah. Umm. Well... You're parents were in such a rush that they forgot to pack clothes for you. The ones you came with got ruined." Eren did not want to lie but he had to.

"I was really that sick?"

"Yeah, you were." Eren remembered the blood over the floor. He had been terrified that Hange's drink had killed Petra. He did not want to lose anyone else. "I'm so glad you're okay though Petra. I was so worried." She shyly smiled at him in return which warmed his heart.

**********

"-then I saw the blue butterfly! Father says its good luck to see one." Petra finished her story proudly, like chasing a butterfly had been one of the most amazing things she had done. She stood beside him as he cut some bread, cheese and tomatoes for the sandwiches. Eren had asked her what she wanted but Petra had been indecisive. His suggestion of sandwiches had been met with approval thankfully.