OUR SHALLOW GRAVES

What Is This Feeling?

"Oi brat, time for breakfast.," Levi said. The familiar clank of the bars, the squeal from the hinges as the door opened. Eren had finished slipping on his boots before the Corporal had opened the cell door. Eren saluted his commander, bowing his head slightly. Levi had nodded his head, signaling that it was ok to leave. Eren followed Levi through the winding halls of the castle towards the dining hall. The rest of the Levi squad was just getting seated, fresh broth, and bread in front of each seat. Eren sat with Levi on his right and Petra on his left. He saw the uneasy glance she threw at him but said nothing. They ate in a peaceful silence before Levi began handing out chores. As usual, Eren was assigned to the stables, though he didn't mind. The horses weren't as judgemental as the rest of them. After breakfast, Eren opted that he helped Petra with the dishes before heading out. Petra agreed as she led both of them, arms full of dishes, towards the kitchen. They scrubbed the dishes, talking quietly amongst themselves. Petra never outwardly showed any signs of hatred towards Eren, just the occasional shift of concern or uneasiness. Even in close quarters, she's kind and smiling as if she were indifferent to his abilities.

"You'll get used to it, trust me, it took me a while to steady myself on 3DMG.," she said. Eren chuckled.

"Yeah, the first time I was held by those wires I went face-first into the dirt. My head hurt a little, but Reiner and Bertolt helped me get my balance. Even if the gear was slightly damaged.," Eren replied, laughing at the memory. Petra laughed with him, causing her to accidentally bump into a glass. Eren reached to grab it, but only to get cut by the shards. He winced as he pulled his arm back.

"B-bandages. I'll get bandages, stay right there!" Petra exclaimed. Eren nodded, wrapping a towel to stop the bleeding. He looked at the broken glass. Just in case. He thought as he slipped some pieces into his pockets. Once she returned, she wrapped some gauze in place so that it won't get infected.

"You should probably get going to the stables.," she suggested. Eren's brow furrowed.

"But the dishes aren't-OW!" he exclaimed, stumbling back. Petra unknowingly poked at the center of the wound, the most sensitive spot. As Eren gently rubbed his hand he looked at Petra who had her hand on the hilt of one of the kitchen knives. Her eyes widened at her misjudgment and looked away guiltily. Eren looked down, picking himself up.

"Yeah right. I should get going.," he said dismissively.

"Wait. Eren, I-," she was cut off as Eren closed the door behind him, not wanting to hear her excuses. He knew what she was going to say, at the very least she felt a little sorry for reacting so harshly. Once he was in the stables he went to pet his ginger mare. She snorted as he approached but calmed when she realized it was him.

"Hey there. How are you?" He asked softly. The mare sighed, contently.

"Yeah, I know. Being cooped up isn't too much fun, is it? I'll ask one of the others if they want to have a ride in a few days, get to stretch your legs.," he said. He smiled as he patted her mane.

"But for now, I'll let you guys get some fresh air while I clean up in here, sound good?" He asked. The stables filled with joyful neighs and snorts.

"Ok ok.," he laughed. He hadn't realized he was being watched. Levi was cleaning out one of the windowsills when he saw the scene unfold. Odd kid. He thought.

"H-heichou.," a voice called. He looked to see Petra slightly out of breath as she jogged towards him. Once she stopped in front of him, she bent down to catch her breath.

"Take it easy, we're not under attack.," he said. She nodded, taking in puffs of air. Once she was breathing normally she spoke up.

"It's about Eren sir.," she said. He quirked his brow. What chore did he mess up now? He thought.

"Well? What's wrong?" He asked. She bit her lip, tentatively.

"He cut his hand while we were washing the dishes. He's out in the stables now. He doesn't seem like he's gonna transform anytime soon but I thought that maybe you should know and c-check on him.," she said nervously. He sighed. He signaled her to step closer to the window.

"What do you see?" he asked. She looked out questioningly. She watched as Eren was tying the horses outside the stables as he was cleaning.

"I don't understand, sir. What am I looking at?" she asked him. He pointed at Eren.

"Watch him.," he said. Petra kept her eye on Eren. She watched as he talked with the horses as if they were old friends, laughing at some joke he made, and the carefree smile he has as he cleaned. He was happy and it was a nice scene to watch. As Levi saw her lips twitch into a small smile he spoke.

"I know why you're concerned about him. About what he could do. But tell me, does that look like someone who would just attack out of nowhere when he knows he's clearly outnumbered? Someone who's wanted nothing more than to join the survey corps. You gotta remember Ral, he's just a kid. A scared teenager who has lost so many people who meant so much to him. I know you guys are wary of him, but what I'm asking is to just cut him a little slack.," he said. She eyed the captain then sighed.

"Yes, Captain. But please check on him.," she said after a moment. He nodded in approval.

"Good, now get back to cleaning. We're running out of daylight here.," he ordered. She nodded as she ran off. He watched Eren a little while longer from the window. He's just a kid. He thought. As Eren finished re-bedding the stalls and double-checking to make sure they had enough water he began putting them back. Some were upset about returning to the cramped stalls.

"I know, I know. Don't worry, I talk to the others about going on a midnight ride in a few days.," he said. The horse neighed happily and eagerly went into the stall. Eren rolled his eyes in amusement.

"You're such a weirdo.," he said jokingly.

"Same could be said about you.," a voice said. Eren whipped around to see who had spoken. When he realized it was the captain he calmed down.

"Sorry Captain, I thought you were one of the horses.," he said nervously. He rubbed the back of his head, waiting for the punishment for calling the captain a horse. But nothing happened.

"You spend too much time talking to them. Some may start to believe that you could actually understand them.," he joked. Did the captain just make a joke? He thought.

"A-ah, yeah. I guess so.," he said, chuckling nervously. Levi cocked his head looking at him square in the eye. Eren hoped he wasn't sweating too bad.

"I actually came to talk to you.," he said suddenly.

"M-me?" Eren asked, pointing towards himself. Levi nodded.

"Yes, you.," he said sternly.