Elliot Jaeger [Sequel ~ Complete]

Chapter 4

"How much further?!" Jean gave an exasperated huff.

"We should reach it soon!" Next to him, Armin replied with reassurance.

The plains seemed endless. It had been a while since their last sundown expedition, and it was for the most obvious of reasons. All their visions were compromised with the darkness and the risk of accidents was higher. Titans seemed to be the lesser of the issue, and nature's terrain was the true obstacle in the night.

Eren kept a close watch on his partner the moment they had left Shiganshina. Levi was less than calm after the incident within the courtroom, and everyone who knew the corporal well enough could tell despite the lack of expression. The atmosphere was permanantly filled with tension and worry, and Eren wasn't sure what he could say to make the situation less uptight.

During the ride, the brunette was tempted to communicate with Levi, hoping to comfort as he would any other times. However, he wasn't sure he himself could stay level-headed if he spoke. Elliot's missing affected him greatly, but Levi was the one taking the biggest blow of the news. In the end, Eren could only grit his teeth, watching the silhouette of his beloved ahead of him.

XXX

Elliot let out a big, long yawn. He had been crawling for a considerable amount of time a baby could, and he was finally tired. And hungry.

There were still no signs of a familiar face, only the large black and white horse tailing him with patience. He was bored of the large animal, and wanted to find something else to play with. The first thing that came to mind was the fraying, stray ends of his favourite scarf.

He sat down, reaching up for his neck where the scarf usually laid, only to find none. A soft, dissatisfied babble escaped him as he searched around his chest. When the scarf was not in sight, he looked about where he was seated, thinking that it must've dropped somewhere nearby like it usually did.

The child's search became a little more erratic with the head turns, and hands reached out blindly in the darkness. All he could grab were leaves, and he wasn't the least bit interested in them anymore.

First, his parents weren't here for him. Or anyone he knew. Next, his favourite garment was nowhere to be found.

Elliot started to whine, dragging out his voice as an unhappy baby would. And, as a rare occurence it was for him, he started to vocalise how upset he was.

Orie was was mildly startled by the unfamiliar noise that grew louder as it continued. The large horse lowered its head, sniffing about the ground until his snout bumped into the small being. He knocked over the initially seated child, and unfortunately, it only made the baby even more upset.

Elliot started to cry this time, much louder than he had ever before. He wanted his father, mother, or anyone for that matter. There was no fear instilled, merely the natural instinct and need of a young wanting their parent. Elliot wanted them, and he wouldn't stop crying until he had them.

Or at least, that was what Elliot's intention was. Orie had stuck his nose near the baby's face, snorting small gusts of warm, ticklish air in his face. Large nostrils flared as they picked up the faint, salty smell of tears, and Orie started to lick Elliot's face out of curiosity.

Now, distracted by the warm, sloppy feel on his cheek, Elliot stopped his bawl and turned his attention to his pet horse. The steed gave short, brisque licks, but it was enough to make Elliot amused. The baby sat up and tried to catch the pink, icky stuff touching him on the side of his face.

Orie happened to stick his snout into the child's middle, and Elliot grabbed onto the head. Effortlessly, the horse raised his neck, bringing the load a foot off the ground when Elliot slipped off due to a loose grasp. Thankfully, the abundant leaves on the ground absorbed his fall, and Elliot had begun to laugh excitedly. He'd play this game with his father before, and it was thrilling for him.