THIRTEEN • Eren Jaeger

CHAPTER 5: Loop Three, I

"I'm not mocking you," you said. You smiled. "I just think that it's so sweet that you want to go after Krista, Eren."

"Huh? Not cool, [Name], don't treat this like it's a joke when they could all be dying somewhere out there!"

"Don't get so defensive," you said, ignoring Armin and Mikasa's puzzled glances. "I understand, Eren—Krista has always been nice to you."

Eren narrowed his eyes. "You're acting weird, [Name], are you sure you're not lightheaded? Because if you need oxygen then I can perform—"

"No!" You grabbed his shoulder tightly, causing him to wince. "I can breathe, idiot, I just wish you weren't so clueless."

"Clueless?"

"Enough, both of you," said Mikasa, putting an arm between you and Eren. "No one's going anywhere. We will stay here."

"And if they're dead?" Eren asked hotly.

Jean grimaced. "That's out of our control, shithead, do you really want us to follow you into a slow death in the cold?"

Suddenly the door flew open, inviting a fierce gust. It was Krista. Her nose was bloody and her face was red, clear signs of frostbite.

"Ymir's coming with Daz," she said before collapsing. As people huddled around her, offering their concern, you watched Eren's relieved expression like a hawk.

You didn't know how close Eren and Historia were as cadets, but you knew they grew into confidants when they got older. There was also the fact that she was often the subject of many 104th boys' romantic fantasies—Reiner was a good example. You wondered if she had ever been that for Eren. It couldn't hurt to try.

"She looks like she needs air," you commented. You gave Eren a shove. "You should give her oxygen."

He glared at you. "Ouch. She looks fine."

"Air is thin in the cold mountains, 'Ren," you said impatiently. "She just fainted."

Mikasa called for your assistance. Krista's handkerchief had fallen from her grip, dried with her blood after being out cold for so long.

"See? All she had was a nosebleed," Eren said dismissively. "Go, [Name]. Rest."

You rolled your eyes and stalked off, taking Krista's handkerchief from Mikasa's outstretched arm and stuffing it into your pocket, not caring if it was dirty with her dry blood.

A kiss. That was all Eren needed from Historia to know the future. You wanted him to be aware before entering the Survey Corps. A new plan was scheduled for tonight, one that involved Eren making contact with Historia earlier.

The cadets settled in for the night. You poked a metal rod at the hearth, tending to the fire in the common room until Mikasa entered with hot tea. She sat on the floor beside you. Her face twisted with conflict like she was remembering your argument with Eren earlier.

"Eren's too reckless," she finally said. "He's going to put himself in real danger."

"That's what makes him a good person," you replied gently. "The tighter we hold onto him, the harder he'll break free."

You didn't tell Mikasa what Eren was going to do. She wouldn't believe you. Hell, even now, being around teenage him, you found it hard to believe that he was capable of genocide.

"Hey, you're awake!"

You and Mikasa turned to see Eren and Armin making their way to you from the boys' barracks.

"I thought I told you to rest," Eren said to you. "And find someplace warm."

"Gee, you think I'd be freezing in front of a fireplace, Eren."