THIRTEEN • Eren Jaeger

CHAPTER 5: Loop Three, I

For a moment, you both stared at each other, forgetting that your friends were there. And then Eren jerked his head toward yours to kiss you on the lips.

His eyes were closed, yours wide open. And then yours closed too, and for a second, just for a second, you kissed him back. Then you broke away and ducked your head. What the fuck?

Whoops erupted from your friends, but they sounded muffled, like you were underwater. All that invaded your senses was Eren, who reddened as he sat back, like he couldn't believe what he'd just done. Eren kissed you. In front of everyone. To him, you were the prettiest girl in the room. Unconsciously, your fingers touched your lips, tracing where Eren's mouth had been.

And you'd kissed back.

"I knew it!" Sasha said triumphantly, before handing a palm out to Connie. He grumbled and reluctantly gave her his share of food.

"I... I..." You gaped at Eren, who met your eyes despite his embarrassment. "You think... me?"

"'Course I do," he said, defensive. "Who else?"

"I thought it would be Historia," you said.

Everyone looked confused. "Who's Historia?"

You broke out of your stupor and froze. Your eyes immediately flew to Historia/Krista, who was staring at you with newfound fear.

"S-sorry..." You trailed off. "I was just... distracted."

The others relaxed and exchanged knowing smirks. "After that? I'm sure you were."

Ymir was not so blind. Between the terror that besieged you and Krista earlier, she was quick to jump in. Her brown eyes narrowed.

"[Name]," she said. "Truth or dare?"

"T-Truth."

"Okay. Who are you?"

"What?"

"The way you act isn't normal, [Name]. You know things you shouldn't. You should be careful. Some people might find you suspicious."

Ymir was accusing you of being an outsider. You almost laughed out loud. You never knew much about her, but you knew she was the Jaw Titan in that moment.

"Don't be stupid," Eren said. "[Name]'s been my neighbor since we were babies."

Ymir didn't look convinced. "Lover Boy, don't you think it's weird how [Name] knows everything? She can predict the weather, she knows all the best horse routes without ever having ridden there before, and she can even correctly guess the next thing people say in conversation. What if she's... abnormal?"

"Back off," snarled Eren. "You don't know her like I do."

"Eren, it's fine," you said quickly, not wanting him to provoke Ymir even more. "It is weird I have a knack for that."

Ymir's lip curled. "Isn't that cute? The little lovers protecting each other."

The game ended on tense terms. You shot Krista a worried glance and she barely looked at you as she left, a silent agreement that you would never bring up her real name ever again. You'd make up a lie about how Lord Reiss had paid you to keep an eye on Historia. That was the only option now. It would probably mess up the timeline.

Frustrated, you stepped outside. The blizzard had long gone, replaced by soft frost flakes falling from the dark heavens above. You envied snow for managing to stay the same, repeating the same water cycle with ease, while all you ever did was mess things up. The door swung behind you and you jumped when you saw Eren stepping outside.