Blue Pajamas

Chapter 1: Resignation

Listen closely to the area around. What can be heard? The wind is howling and whispering one thousand secrets as it goes underneath the golden sun in the blue sky. A few birds can be heard in the distance. Finches and robins. They chirp as they flap their colorful wings, soaring across the land of Shinganshina in the year of 845. It might seem rare for a day to be this peaceful, but the Titans that had brought tyranny to the land have been finally put to an end; at least that's what everyone believes. There hasn't been an appearance of one in three months.

The absence of the Titans meant that everyone was safe, but most importantly, the members of the military have the option to resign. So most of the recruits lined up to turn in their equipment and get their resignation slips.

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"You're resigning Armin?" Eren asked. Many of the Scouting Legion members were in line to resign from their duty. More than half of the legion was resigning. "I thought you said you were going to stay. What's happening?"
"Eren, Titans haven't been a threat to us for a while. Don't you think this is a sign? Besides, no matter how much you think this is cowardly, it's not. This is our break, take advantage of it," Armin said, "Are you worried that it's not over?" Eren took a second to think.
"Exactly. They can appear anytime. I want to stay recruited," he said. He took another glimpse at the line. Near the front of the line, even Mikasa was there to resign from the Scouting Legion. "I'm curious if Levi is staying or resigning. Did you happen to see him today?"
"I haven't. But you know the kind of person he is. He would most likely stay, it's his goal to make sure that humanity is in the hands of safety," Armin explained, "Why are you worried about him anyway?"
"Curiosity."
"I'll accept that for now. I bet there is another reason."
"What the hell do you mean by that, Arlert?" Eren formed a smile and elbowed Armin.
"I know you a lot more about you than yourself. It's quite simple. I can tell that you like him," Armin grinned. Eren started to slightly kick the cobblestone path while he blushed. "I knew it!" Armin called out.
"I don't, please stop," Eren demanded softly. But it was true, Eren did care a lot about Levi, but he has been afraid to admit it. He was always afraid of the response he'd get.
"Fine. Later on, would you like to join Mikasa and I to go around the village? It's been quite a while since we've actually got to enjoy ourselves."
"No, thank you. I'd rather stay in the castle for the rest of the day. Even though it's only an hour past noon, I desire to stay there," Eren said.
"Okay, I understand." Armin looked down and frowned. "I wish you would just resign," he whispered under his breath.

Eren simply walked away and mounted his horse. From there, he could see the remaining members in line to resign. It was almost difficult for him to see how many people weren't aware that there was a possibility that the Titans would return. There was nothing he can do to stop them. Eren's horse started racing towards the castle. The sound of the horse's feet were like a ticking clock that went at a fast pace as it ran over the hard cobblestone.

The village was very quiet and calm. Eren saw a few children playing outside of their cottages and houses. For most of his life, he has longed to have that kind of time again. He had never lived a single day without fear. Maybe I should have said yes, I was too harsh on Armin as well. It was his decision to resign.

Eren eventually made it back to Castle Utgard, which was finally transformed into a home for a few of the members. As usual, it stood up tall and proud, going perfectly with the scenery that surrounds it. He got off his horse and headed towards the entrance. He pushed open the doors and the first thing he sees is an empty room. Nobody was in it except for... Levi Ackerman.

"Levi?" Eren called out.
"Thank you for deciding to stay. You and I are the only ones recruited. The rest decided to resign." He said in a stale voice. He didn't change his usual expression.
"I only thought that three fourths of the military was going to resign. I didn't expect this much. What's going to happen if the Titans come back? It's just you and me?"
"Correct. Those morons don't think of the possibilities. Some are cowards that know about the possibility, and the rest are idiots that are oblivious to everything," Levi said. They both stayed silent for a moment.
"Anyways, I'm going to my room. I'll be in there for quite a while," Eren said, "I wish Mikasa, Armin and Hanji stayed. All three were helpful." Levi said nothing as he stared blankly at the floor, he simply allowed Eren to walk to his room. "I'll see you around," Eren spoke as he made it halfway up the stairs.
"Alright," Levi muttered.

Levi heard Eren close his door and sighed. "I guess it's my time as well," he whispered. He headed towards his room and closed the door behind him, slowly breaking into tears as his body filled up with fear and sadness. Levi fell to his knees and pulled his head down. He started to hyperventilate at that point. Everything was coming to quickly for him, while Eren lied on his bed staring up at the ceiling. Why can't he just notice my feelings already, I'm making it as obvious as I can... What else am I supposed to do? For a long time, he has always cared about Eren as well. After a long time, Levi had the perfect chance to finally aim for what he wanted since they were the only two recruits left.

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"Where's Eren?" Mikasa asked Armin as they mounted their horses.
"He didn't want to come, he didn't resign. Besides, he wanted to stay at Utgard," he explained.
"Oh... Okay. I was just wondering," she said, " But I want him to come. He has to enjoy himself for once."
"I know you do and so do I. I don't think we can change his mind. If you really want to try, we can go," Armin said.
"Yeah, let's go get him," she said.

Mikasa and Armin got on their horses and headed towards Castle Utgard. The sun was still golden and bright and for the first time in a long time, they wore their own clothing instead of their uniforms. But Mikasa started to think about the whole idea of retrieving Eren. This wasn't a good idea.

"Woah!" Mikasa called to stop the horses. "Wait, Armin."
"What's wrong Mikasa? Why are we stopping?" Armin asked. He slowly stroked his horse's mane.
"This wasn't a good idea. Let's just let Eren stay in the castle. Besides, we could do this any other day, why today?" She frowned.
"Mikasa it's okay, we can still ask Er-."
"No, I don't want to invade his space. He needs time to think, Armin. Let's just enjoy ourselves for now," Mikasa said.
"Okay, let's turn back."

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Eren sat up from his bed and closed the blinds. The sun had been bothering him the whole day and overheated his body. He decided to come out of his room to see how Levi was doing, and he knocked slightly on the door.

Levi opened the door, with his eyes red and his face stained with tears and still wearing his wet uniform. "What?" He asked sternly.
"Levi, have you been crying? What's going on?" Eren asked.
"I have to admit that I was and it's none of your business, Jaeger." He said.
"I'm sorry. I just wanted to know how you were doing." Eren said.
Levi turned around and started pacing his room.
"It's something you should know by now but apparently not. Just please go back to your room," Levi said with a tear-filled voice.
"Fine, I want y-... Never mind. I'm going to get some food from the village," Eren said. Levi sat on his bed and let Eren close the door to go to his room and continued to cry. Once he heard Eren enter his room and close the door, he finally took advantage of it to speak to himself.
"I have ever felt so alone in my lifetime... Why can't he realize that I just want him with me..? I'm the problem, I have to show my emotions. It's the only way I'll gain happiness again... Please Eren, I.. I.. I can't.. I can't say it... I can't..." He spoke, "Eren please come to me... I.. I love you..." Levi clutched his pillow and laid there, drowning in his tears until he suddenly let out a phlegmy cough. "Oh no, I must not get sick... Why now?"
Eren was not able to hear Levi at all, he just looked outside the window as he held in his emotions. The sun was starting to set and he started to think about Mikasa and Armin. They're having fun. I should've went with them. Maybe I should have resigned too. And all the deaths that I have seen right before my eyes. It kills me. But it's not what's bothering me the most... It's Levi. I try to do everything for him because I really care about him, but why doesn't he realize it?