Just for Yeager

Remembering You, Pt. 1

I was being a bit selfish with the opportunity, but it presented itself with very high possibilities. Who knew he would accept my invite, and even further, invite himself to the thermal spring behind my Manor? Guess he needed to unwind more than he needed some guidance that night. I sought to provide him both.

With a towel around my waist, I approached the unexpected rookie. He had already submerged himself by the edge of water, his resting head slumped over his folded arms on stone. Slipping my towel off, I indulged my nude self and dipped into the bath. It had been a while since I last enjoyed nature's spa, my pores already screaming with delight. The hot steam rolled over my face and I fell mellow, absorbing the starry night and its simplicity. The crickets were soft, the breeze, smooth. Eren paid me no mind. The current as I approached didn't stir him either, then I noticed from behind him... he was sound asleep.

A sly grin crept  up my face, and I could feel the imp inside me smiling back. I slammed my hand on his shoulder, and he answered back with a startled swing of his fist towards my face. Predictable, but then again, it was Eren.

With his caught arm in my hand, I lowered his defense, and gave him a dry remark, "Falling asleep in my hot spring? You prune."

My horrible joke surely went over his head, as he looked more concerned with my being here than anything else.

"Sorry about that. I-I guess I didn't hear you coming in," he stuttered, continuing, "I'll show myself out."

He drew away, my grip still on his wrist. But I pulled him in, reassuring him as his hazel-green eyes met mine. "It's fine. I could use the company." My emotionless mien locked onto his bewildered one, and I could read the anxiety riding up his heated cheeks. For a brief moment, there was absolute silence, and I'd soon break the pause with a sigh. Crossing my arms, I cocked my head atilt, addressing him, "Boy, you really are awkward. Queer and reckless. What a strange combination."

"I am not a queer!" He barked.

"And hot-headed." I tapped a finger over my chin. "You know, that word serves more than one meaning. Get your head out of the gutter."

He dropped his hostile composure, pushing out a deep breath. "Look, Levi, I know what you're thinking, and I'm not interested, okay?"

"What?"

His face flushed, and his eyebrows furrowed as if he were straining. Finally, he declared in a loud burst, "You... you like me!"

How adorable.

"And you like me. Unless, that's a problem? It'd be a personal one, though, now wouldn't it?"

"W-what? I don't—"

"—You wouldn't have accepted my offer if that were not the case. You're in denial." I closed myself around him, pushing us both against the edge of the bath. And with a whisper, "Or maybe you're just that gullible?"