My late hero Eren x reader ( completed )

Wounds Beyond the Surface

Emerald eyes cut through the dawn's mist with an incisive clarity, slicing through the morning light like a blade. Our breaths hung suspended between us, creating a silent exchange that words could scarcely capture. The air crackled with a palpable tension, as if our gazes were on the verge of unraveling hidden truths cloaked in shadows. I recognized him now—Eren, the boy who had caused a stir at the food line yesterday. The closeness felt almost intimate, yet Eren's unwavering gaze exerted its own undeniable force. As the realization sank in, my cheeks flushed with an intense blush. Eren's scrutiny was uncomfortably real and unwavering.

I swiftly wrapped the thin blanket around myself, seeking refuge from his penetrating gaze. His stumbling apology sliced through my discomfort. "Um, um, um... I-I'm sorry. It's just, you looked kind of cute, and I wanted to see you up closer," he stammered, his face blooming with a blush that mirrored mine. His awkward apology did little to mask the genuine embarrassment mingled with a hint of admiration.

Peeking from behind the blanket, I met his gaze with a mix of irritation and reluctant gratitude. "Is peeping at people a hobby of yours? But... thanks, I suppose," I replied, my stomach growling audibly in the suddenly quiet room—a stark reminder of my oversight at the food line.

"I haven't eaten much these past few days," I admitted, feeling my discomfort grow.

"I-I, it's fine. I'm pretty hungry myself," Eren responded, his blush deepening in shared sympathy. Amidst our mutual embarrassment, an oddly comfortable closeness persisted. Although staring might be deemed impolite, I found myself inexplicably drawn to this stranger. How did this make any sense?

Our shared hunger punctuated the tension with a burst of laughter as our stomachs growled in unison, coloring our faces with a flush of embarrassment. It was a brief, human moment, a welcome distraction from our harsh reality.

"Eren! I found you... Who's that?" Armin's voice sliced through the air, his curiosity clear in every syllable. Eren turned, suddenly realizing he had been staring at someone whose name he didn't even know. He looked momentarily flustered, caught off guard by the interruption.

To ease his discomfort, I introduced myself. "I'm Y/N L/N. Nice to meet you," I said, offering a friendly smile.

Eren quickly regained his composure and made the introductions. "Y/N, this is Armin and Mikasa."

Armin's face flushed a deeper shade of red, his curiosity morphing into an endearing awkwardness. Mikasa gave a nod of acknowledgment, her expression composed and unflinching.

As our laughter subsided, the initial awkwardness began to fade, replaced by a nascent sense of camaraderie. The introductions marked the beginning of an unexpected connection, a fleeting but cherished reprieve from the relentless weight of our grim reality.

"I heard your stomach growling; it was louder than mine," Eren remarked with a grin, reigniting my blush.

"My stomach did not growl; it was yours! It was so loud, I bet anyone within a twenty-meter radius could have heard it!" I retorted, frustration mingling with my embarrassment.

"Definitely yours," Eren laughed, the playful banter lightening the mood. But Mikasa's voice cut through the levity.

"Look, Eren," Mikasa pointed at Noah's maneuver gear's sword handle with a sharp edge to her tone.

"Don't tell me you're a soldier!" Armin's eyes widened in shock.

Hesitating, I explained, "Um, it's not what you think. It belonged to someone important to me." Armin's innocent confusion about children being soldiers was apparent.

Memories flickered through my mind, tears barely contained as I struggled to articulate the events leading up to Wall Maria. "I'm sorry, I've probably shared too much."

"It's fine. We all face these hardships to protect others and to grow stronger," Mikasa said, her tone practical yet empathetic.

"Yeah, that's one way to look at it," I murmured, absorbing her words.

Eren's eyes darkened, fists clenching with a storm of unresolved anger. The Titans' presence did not scare me, but the concern on Armin and Mikasa's faces was palpable.

"I'll kill them all... obliterate them from the face of the earth. Just you wait!" Eren's declaration was fierce and raw.

"That's another way to look at it, Eren," I replied, taken aback by his sudden outburst.

With a forceful strike, Eren's fists met the wall, blood trickling from his knuckles. Mikasa stepped in, her hand firm and unyielding.

"What good will punching a wall and bleeding do against the Titans? Wake up! If you think calling Armin and Y/N cowards is going to help, you're wrong. Without Armin, we would have starved. We've survived because others helped us. If you truly want to defeat the Titans, acknowledge your own limitations!"

Mikasa's words sliced through Eren's anger. His fists fell, tears streaking down his face, the storm of his emotions receding.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things." Tears welled, vulnerability laid bare.

"It's alright. I shouldn't have brought it up either. I'm sorry," I said, avoiding Eren's tearful gaze.

"It's my fault for letting my emotions get the best of me. I just needed to vent," Eren admitted, his smile slowly returning.

Mikasa's concern for Eren and his injuries was evident. Blood continued to seep from his wound as memories of past struggles resurfaced.

Eren winced as I gingerly touched his injured hand. "It hurts!! Owww!! Be a little gentler," he protested.

"Be careful with Eren!" Mikasa's voice trembled with worry.

"I think Eren should be more cautious," I countered.

"It hurts! Owww! Be a little gentler," he repeated.

"If it hurts so much, maybe don't be so reckless," I said, my sarcasm masking my concern.

Eren leaned against the wall, pain etched deeply into his expression. Armin and Mikasa tried to distract him, but my focus remained on tending to his injury. A wet cloth, stained with crimson, met Eren's winces as I worked quickly and carefully to bandage his knuckles.

"Oww! I'm serious, it actually really hurts!" Eren whined.

"I can stop if it's too painful," I offered, my tone tinged with a hint of mischief.

"Keep going, Y/N. It's for his own good," Armin encouraged.

With peroxide on the cloth, I dabbed carefully at Eren's wound. Another wince, but I pressed on, wrapping the bandages with precision.

"That should do it."

"Amazing, Y/N! It looks perfect," Armin praised, his admiration evident.

"Maybe I could be a doctor someday. Then again, the stress might be too much," I said, scratching my head with uncertainty.

"But it's already starting to feel better," Eren noted, Mikasa's relief evident in her eyes.

"Really, thank goodness," Mikasa said, her voice softening.

"I'm fine, don't worry so much, guys," Eren protested, trying to maintain a casual demeanor.

"I'm pretty sure Mikasa's the only one truly worried about you," I remarked.

"Why did you get the bandages for me then?"

"I only did it because Mikasa looked like she was about to pass out from worry," I replied, as Armin and Mikasa laughed at our banter. Even Eren joined in, though I remained silent, feeling awkward amidst their laughter.

Later that day, after what felt like an eternity, I finally got to eat. The food was modest, but my appetite had always been small. Living alone in a tiny house meant I was used to making do with little. Things seemed to be looking up with Eren around, a small comfort in our turbulent world.