THIRTEEN • Eren Jaeger

CHAPTER 5: Loop Three, I

"Not my fault you were acting looney earlier," he pointed out as he sat down, Armin following. "Seriously, [Name], I don't get why you were really pushy when I mentioned Krista."

Mikasa and Armin exchanged a look.

"You shouldn't worry so much, Jaeger." A drawl from the boys' barracks. You turned to see Jean exit. "[Name]'s a darling for doing charity work, ain't she? None of us are as resilient as her."

You raised an eyebrow. "That's an exaggeration."

"I'm serious. It's like you've trained plenty of times before. What's the secret?"

"I just keep trying."

Again, and again, and again.

A crash from the kitchen area made everyone jump. You ended up leaning back into Jean's legs as he was behind you. Your elbow landed on his lap for support as your head swiveled to the source of the sound. Eren glanced at your arm for a brief second before looking back at the door.

Krista poked her head out from the girls' barracks. "What's going on?"

"Intruder?" you suggested, though you knew otherwise.

"I'll get it," Eren and Jean said in unison.

They shot each other dirty looks before scrambling to the kitchen to one-up the other. They paused to survey the sound, then started at another round of crashing. Laughter arose when it was Sasha and Connie sneaking for food.

Caught, they sheepishly agreed to sharing their glories. You beckoned Krista over, and Ymir, who had woken up and complained about the commotion.

Everyone sat in a circle on the floor. Connie and Sasha entered the common room smirking as they held up rations and a bucket of cold beer. Which you had snuck in.

"Don't tell me you stole that," Armin said, looking worried. "Commander Shadis won't be happy."

"Relax, we deserve it," said Sasha, rubbing her stomach like she hadn't eaten in days. "The hike was so dreadful that it's basically abuse if we don't eat more."

"But that's the point of the training!" Eren piped up to disregard. "Right, [Name]?"

You pretended not to hear as Sasha popped open a bottle for you. You took a sip and sighed, "Alcohol tastes better when you're with friends."

Everyone looked surprised. "You drink?" Jean asked, wide-eyed.

"You never told me that," said Eren. He looked hurt at the idea of you keeping secrets. "And who were you drinking with?"

"I was with—" Your eyes met Sasha, asking for help. "—Sasha."

"We did?" she queried. She caught on a second later. "Oh! I mean—yeah! We did!"

You thanked the stars that Sasha didn't ask.

"Damn it, you guys are out having fun without the rest of us," grumbled Connie. Glasses clinked they slid across. "Pour for everyone."

Your hands touched Eren's as you handed him a glass, and you made eye contact. You knew he was a heavyweight and he didn't get drunk easily. It was also unlikely that he wanted to drink anyway. That didn't mean you couldn't pressure him into doing your bidding. If all went well, you wouldn't need to make him drink at all—alcohol was a shitty and desperate move.

You quickly looked away out of fear that he'd see through you, and it came across as embarrassment. Eren frowned at your odd demeanor before leaning back.

"Alright," Sasha said. "What are we toasting tonight?"

Krista raised her glass. "I'll go first. To our training, and more to come. To friendship, the 104th, and peace in the Walls."