Elliot Jaeger [Sequel ~ Complete]

Chapter 2

"Say ah," Christa sang out as she held the small spoon close to the baby's mouth. Next to her, Sasha mimicked the child, hoping for a spoonful of baby gruel when Ymir gave the woman a bump with her hip, sending her stumbling away.

"Not you," the dark-haired woman seethed out as Sasha regained her footing. She pouted at Ymir, who took a seat next to her partner.

"You're the one to say," the brunette pointed out when she witnessed Ymir opening her own mouth and pointing into it.

"That's 'cuz I've a privilege."

"Mou, the food's for Elliot, not anyone else," the blond sighed out with a laugh. She carefully fed the boy, and after every mouthful Elliot would resume curiously glancing about in the different surrounding. The other two gave in and Sasha sat on the other side of Christa, taking a quick glance at Elliot sitting on the table before flopping her body over it.

"So boring... All the guys have been dragged to heavy duty and we're stuck here baby-sitting."

"It isn't that bad," Christa gave a nervous chuckle. She knew Ymir only decided to remain behind because she was. "Besides, we're not totally leaving the job to them. Eren and the corporal are attending a meeting with the commander, and we happened to be having a break. And honestly, I'd prefer baby-sitting Elliot than carrying artillery."

"Ho... so you'd rather be a mom, aye?" Ymir teased, watching the other's face turn a cute shade of red.

"That's not what I mean! I'm just saying that with my size, things like carrying heavy stuff isn't my forte." Christa flickered her gaze back to Elliot, who took to fiddling with his toes. "Oh, speaking of mom. Eren told me that if we had the time to, we should try to teach Elliot to speak."

Ymir's eyebrow raised. "He's not mute, is he?"

"Don't say that. He does make noises, and he's capable of imitating people. See." To prove her point, Christa placed the items she held aside, and after getting Elliot's attention, made him do a clap with her. The baby did it fine, with a few babbles and a giggle.

"So why isn't he speaking? By this age, usually it'll take a miracle for them to keep quiet," Ymir snorted. She leaned forward on a crossed arm, while the other hand reached out and prodded Elliot's cheek. Elliot looked over, made a squeal and grabbed the offending finger. The woman retracted her hand when her appendage was nearly placed in a yucky environment called a mouth.

"Who knows. I don't think it takes him a long time to learn things."

"Maybe he's just being lazy," Sasha drawled out in a bored tone.

"Maybe," Christa laughed. She turned to Elliot and caught his attention with a few small claps. "Elliot? Try saying 'mom'. Maa-mm," the blond tried to articulate her words as slowly as possible, and the sounds of it merely caused stifled giggles from the other two females. "Don't laugh! I'm trying!"

"Come on. You sound like a sheep," Ymir teased, and heard Sasha breaking out into a bigger laugh.

"Give it here." The dark-haired woman wagged her finger, to which Elliot responded quick to, grabbing it with a stubby hand. "Say 'mom'."

"That's not helpful, Ymir," Sasha shook her head and gave a shrug. The smug look on her face had Ymir scowling in her direction, challenging.

"Oh? You act as if you're experienced with handling children," Ymir, now standing, glowered down at the person sitting opposite her. Had it been the meek Sasha from years ago, she would've cowered. But as a veteran, a six foot tall woman was hardly anything scary. Sasha was on her feet as well, chest raised proudly.