The Turquoise Cure (Eren X Reader)

Chapter 5: Welcome to the Cadet Corps...

    You stared up at those huge, turquoise eyes. Honestly, you had never really forgotten about Eren; he always drifted into your mind while you worked, and he sometimes made surprise appearances in your dreams. You had a tendency to associate his presence in your dreams as a good omen- you never had nightmares when you dreamed about him.

    "Do you not remember me?" Even, who had grown several inches taller, inquired, looking quite disappointed at your silence. "Uh..." you stuttered. Why am I so nervous? "Of course I remember you- it's Eren. Sorry, I was just so surprised." He smiled down at you- it seemed as if his pride had been returned and his eyes refilled with that teal coloration. "I'm glad that you remember me," he started, but you could sense his awkwardness and embarrassment, "I was really scared that it would be one-sided." You gave him the most reassuring smile that you could muster. "Definitely not." 

    At that moment, you saw the blonde-haired boy and the black-haired warrior approaching Even from several years away, squinting to peer at you. As they got closer, they ran towards you, enveloping you in a warm hug. "Oh my God!" Armin shrieked as he squeezed you into his embrace, "It's been so long!"After your pleasantries with Armin, Mikasa surveyed you carefully. She then grasped your hands and pulled you into a hug as well. "I'm so glad that you're here," she said. Just as it had been so long ago, her embrace gave you solace and comfort. How did I not realize how much I longed for them? I was too consumed with my own problems, I guess. 

    Eren had started to speak, but his voice was cut off by an ear-splitting shriek that seemed to come from a whistle. "CADETS! LINE UP IN FRONT OF ME, AND DON'T DAWDLE! I DON'T HAVE ALL DAY FOR YOU SPINELESS FUCKS!" Everyone around your group had begun to hustle over to the tanned, bald instructor, but you four hesitated. "It seems like we just got to catch up..." Even started, looking upset by the latest instruction. You reached out for his hand and tried to reassure him. Damn, this boy is so fucking sweaty. "We'll have more time later to chat, and then we can get into the real trauma," you said, but you then quickly realized that not everyone's plantation time had been quite like yours. "Uh- I mean-" you started, but you were shushed as you were marched over to stand in a line next to Armin before the bald instructor. 

    To say the least, this introduction was a shit show. Already, an arrogant guy with a strangely long face had been knocked in the head for his attitude, a lanky, dark-haired girl whose name you thought might be Sasha had been scolded for having stolen a potato, and a boy with shaven hair had been nearly assaulted for having his fist over the wrong side of his chest. This has to be one of the worst trainee groups that he's ever seen. I've never seen someone look so crest-fallen.

    You had tried to ignore most of the introductions- you weren't here to be everyone's best friend; you were here to make something of yourself- make Aster look down at you and smile. Suddenly, you were awakened from your indifference by the barking of the instructor, named Shadis, you had recently learned, towards Eren. He wasn't too far from you, but you leaned forward slightly, trying to view him as best you could. "AND YOU," he started, "WHO ARE YOU?" Eren didn't look scared of this bastard; he just saluted and said, "Eren Jaeger of Shiganshina District, sir!" Jaeger? This can't be. He couldn't possibly be Grisha's boy. Oh God. I'm going to be fucking sick. You forced yourself to look straight ahead. You were completely surprised. It had never occurred to you that Even could have been Doctor Grisha's son. He had always talked about having a son your age, and even having recently adopted a girl, but it just hadn't entered your realm of thought. Well, dinner had better last a good while, because this is going to take some explaining. 

    After Shadis telling Even that he would surely be killed by the titans for his insatiable determination, he made his way down the line. His eyes fluttered around all of the cadets in your row, but they settled on Armin, directly to the left of you. He won't pick me. He hasn't picked everyone. He didn't pick Mikasa.