Nothing Lasts Forever // Ereri / Riren Short Story

Nothing Lasts Forever

"Levi," whined Hanji, who rode beside him on their current expedition outside of Wall Rose, "do you think we can take another titan home? It would really help further my stu-"

"Not a chance, shitty glasses." Levi sneered back at her, showing lack of emotion as per usual.

Hanji opened her mouth one more time to see if she could convince him, but he knew what was coming, as he raised his hand up to symbolize her to not speak. Eren Jaeger, upon the horse behind them, admired his captain secretly and silently from behind, watching the Wings of Freedom stitched on, covering most of his slender back, rise and fall with the motion of his body.

The expedition went on like this for hours, Hanji would attempt to strike up a conversation, Levi would tell her off, and Eren sat back quietly on his horse. Eren was not usually quiet and observing, but today was different. He wasn't sure how, but he did not feel the need to voice his opinion. Maybe he was learning from Armin.

Hanji finally gave up on chatting his Levi, so she turned around to see the young titan-shifter behind her. "Eren," she cried to the teenage boy behind her, "you haven't said one word this entire expedition, what's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing, I just-"

"Right, nothing, there is something wrong, brat. You usually never shut the hell up."

Eren was unsure what to truly say, he was just in deep thought, about what? About him, about who? Levi. It's not like he could tell anyone that he maybe had the smallest little crush on his Lance Corporal. There was no time for love. There was only time to eat, sleep, fight, and repeat. You couldn't fit that four letter word in his strict schedule.

"Whatever, don't answer." Levi mumbled, looking keeping his head down so Hanji didn't see the blush and anger that spread across his face. "Strange" he thought, "Why do I feel like this? Not again."

As the immense Survey Corps formation made its way across the vast plains, the sun casting its golden rays, the sky intensifying with vivid reds and oranges, they found their way to a wooded area. The large green canopy spread above them, sheltering them from the oncoming glassy-night sky. It was already decided that this small forest would be where the Scouting Legion spent their night.

The found a clearing after some time, and prepared for the night ahead. The opposing forms found their resting place, and settled in. The clearing had multiple small open areas, being surrounded by trees, bushes, and shrubs. Everyone removed the three-dimensional maneuver gear that was strapped to their body and placed it near the carts.

The dark green sleeping bags were rolled out as the bright fire was lit in the middle. Everyone was scattered throughout the area, but right next to each other at the same time. All the soldiers you had expected to sleep near each other did just that: Jean next to Armin, Ymir next to Krista, Eren near Levi. Anyone normal would have just thought it's because Levi is in charge of Eren. Not truly the case, but neither of them let the other know how they actually feel.

After a so-called dinner, everyone went back to their 'beds'. The unpleasant sweltering summer days were nothing to the brisk, starry nights. The scorching fire in the middle of camp left the ones closest keen while the other farther off froze, including that of Levi and Eren.

Soon enough, most of everyone had fallen asleep. The peacefulness of twilight calmed the soldiers into believing they were safe.

Levi looked up at the stars of what he could see, admiring the constellations he could make out. Beside him, Eren continued to ever-so-slightly snore, in which Levi unadmittedly found adorable. In every attempt to sleep, Levi found the frigid air and the distance from the earth of the fire left him in a constant shiver. The warmest thing despairingly even close to him was... Eren.