STRONGEST HOPE (ERERI❤RIREN)

CHAPTER 11 - WORTH THE RISK

Eren woke up feeling groggy. He felt as if he had a heavy blanket over him and that his head was full of broken glass. He could almost hear it when he moved. He felt like shit. He must have just had a harder night than he thought. He tried not to cry over the Captain, but he couldn't help it. The ups and downs of the feelings for him were so extreme, he felt dizzy.

Today was a great day to put everything aside and focus on something he could control...killing titans. Once a month or so, the scouts would do a wall purge to minimize the number of titans surrounding the walls. If there was another breach, it would be best to not have 100 titans just waiting to surge forth. So, the scout and Garrison soldiers could get some much needed practice under the guidance and watchful eyes of the veteran scouts. The Captain almost never participated in this pedestrian activity, so it would give Eren the opportunity to clear his head and do what he'd come to love most.

Standing on the walls above the gate, the soldiers awaited their orders from their section commanders. They would spread out over the span of the wall and take turns slicing the napes of the son a' bitches. Eren thought he'd be more excited, but he just didn't feel too well. Mikasa walked over to Eren and looked at his face really close. Eren huffed and took two steps back. "Seriously, Mikasa?! Personal space?"

"Eren," she said calmly, "you look horrible!"

"Oooohhh burn!" laughed Jean, snickering. "What's different from usual?"

"Shut the fuck up," Eren mumbled, with barely any passion. Jean seemed disappointed.

"No seriously, Eren." Mikasa walked up and touched his cheek. "You're burning up!"

Eren backed away from her touch. "I just need to eat, is all."

Armin came around from the back of the group and looked at Eren with concern. "Are you sick?"

"Oh my GOD!!! What am I...five?"

Before anyone could give a smart ass reply, a familiar and dreaded voice yelled for their attention. They all stood straight and saluted. "Yes, sir!"

Captain Levi looked down the line of soldiers. When he heard the groans, he said, "Shut it!"

The group was immediately quiet. Rarely did he have to raise his voice. His glare was enough. He walked in front of the line with his hands behind his back. "Trust me, shitheads! I'm not happy either. I normally don't participate in this bullshit, but Hange had other matters to attend to."

The soldiers tried to stay as still as possible, but they fidgeted out of nervousness. With Hange this was usually fun because they'd cry out in despair every time a scout killed a titan. There wasn't any pressure. But with the Captain, it was all business and no flair.

Eren stood with his gaze downward. The last thing he wanted was to meet the Captain's eyes when it was clear how little he thought of him. His head felt foggy. He couldn't help but turn red when Levi paused in front of him while talking. Is it possible he had a fever, because he felt a little dizzy? He wished they could just get on with it.

"No more than two of you off the wall at once. Get a partner and line up." Levi glared at them. "No risks taken. If you don't have a clean shot, don't take it. No one is allowed to do anything stupid, and definitely no one is allowed to get hurt or worse, unless, of course, it's Kierstein."

Jean gasped in shock and the rest of the soldiers blurted out their laughter. Eren smirked.

"Shut the fuck up piss-ants!" Levi barked. "Get started."

They fell into line quickly. Mikasa and Jean went first. They both walked towards the edge of the wall and stepped off coolly. The catch of hooks and the whiz of lines were the only sounds, followed by the sickening sound of titan flesh being carved out. The pair appeared above the wall again and stepped down, having barely broken a sweat. Mikasa and Jean were by far the best at this.