You immediately regretted your choice of words.
He probably thought you enjoyed this story, a story where he had to suffer a lot and many people had to die. Maybe he thought it was a good night story for kids.
"No, that's not how I wanted to portray it, i'm sorry!
It's got action, mystery, some comedic moments, good animation in the anime and the drawing style in the manga is absolutely awesome. It also got good music. Attack on Titan's popularity can be considered to be a product of several factors: the storyline and setting, characters and character building, everything."
You thought carefully about your choice of words because you don't want to say anything wrong.
You thought for a little while and kept going
"People watch the anime or read the manga in the hope that their favorite character will survive. They want everyone to survive. But if someone dies or suffers, then you can believe me that the fans are very sad. However I thought- we thought, that this is all JUST a story. Nobody knew that this actually happened."
Tears came out from your eyes. Is that true? Is this story really real? Did so many people really had to suffer? Did Eren really had to suffer so much?
You had to cry several times while watching the anime or after reading the manga. But as a consolation you had in the back of your mind that it's just a story that never happened.
But now...
Eren was speechless.
His eyes showed no emotion, neither anger nor sadness. Absolutely nothing.
You, on the other hand, couldn't hold back your tears.
Why is this world so cruel?
"I-i'm so sorry Eren! I-"
Your knees fell to the floor, you were no longer able to speak, you could no longer look him in the eye.
Eren also sat down on the floor next to you, but he didn't say a single word.
What kind of expression is he doing right now?
Was he angry?
Was he sad?
Is he mad at you?
You just looked at the ground, you just couldn't look him in the eye-
and not only because your eyes were full of tears, it's also because you were afraid to see his face.
"Look at me y/n"
Shit
No
"Please look at me"
His voice sounded emotionless
He took his index finger and placed it on your chin. With his finger he adjusted your head so that he could see your face.
Eren moved his other hand and extended it towards you, but when you saw that, you quickly closed your eyes and you started to shake.
What is he doing? Does he want to hit you? Does he want to hurt you?
But then you can feel his other hand wiping away your tears.
"Please do not cry"
He said that in a calm tone.
Your eyes opened again and stared straight into his turquoise green eyes.
They were so beautiful, in real life they looked even more beautiful than in the anime.
When you noticed that the two of you had been making direct eye contact for a while and his face was close, you started to blush.
You shake your head and you had to cough a little.
"I am fine i guess... sorry"
"You don't need to apologize y/n, after all, you just answered my question"
He gave you a weak smile and stood up.
Eren held a hand in front of you, signaling that he would like to help
you get up.
Since it was a nice gesture of him and you didn't want to be rude, you accepted his help with said thank you.
However, you feel pretty pathetic. Shouldn't he be the one crying?
And shouldn't you be the one to help him?
You both sat down on the couch again. The man waited for you to say something, knowing that you had questions too.
"So, uhm..."
Which question should you start with first? There were so many...
You still can't believe that you are actually talking to Eren Jeager right now.
"Yeeees?"
Eren patiently waited for your question
"You told me earlier that I look like the woman in your dreams..."
He had to think for a second
"You don't look like the woman from my dreams-"
"Oh-"
"You ARE the woman."
What did he say? is he serious?
It sounds like a very bad pick-up line at first, but he looked at you seriously, he's not kidding.
"Excuse me?
w-why would you dream of me?"
He let out a quiet sigh
"I have no idea."
"But you don't dream anything perverted about me, do you?
"WHAT, oh god no no noooo!"
He blushed and began to swing his hands in the air.
"I'm not a pervert, I respect women!"
You had to start laughing as you find his reaction quite amusing
"It was a joke, don't worry."
He let out a loud sigh
"So Eren, what exactly is happening in your dreams?"
While he looked at you, Eren thought for a moment.
"Do you know the whole story of Attack on Titan and every character?"
You nodded
"Yes"
"Mhm. Well, in my dreams I always wake up by a fountain. The same fountain where Zeke attacked you earlier. But the background is white, just white. It's just the fountain, and you sitting on the edge of it.
I always sit next to you, but sometimes you offer me to lay my head on your lap.
You always ask me how my day was or how i am feeling. But..."
He paused and looked at the floor.
"But what?"
You ask him that, wanting him to continue.
"Well, of course I always answered your questions. You were a very good listener and often cheered me up.
but as soon as I asked you something about you, you ignored the question completely.
I asked for your name, no response.
I asked if you are okay, no answer.
I asked you where you come from, no reaction. Nothing."
"Huh? But why?"
"I don't know. You only answered me as long as it wasn't about you."
So that's why he reacted so strangely when you told him your name earlier.
That's so weird. None of that makes sense.
Eren started to smile, but his eyes were still on the ground.
"But I am happy that you finally answer me now. I finally know your name."
You started to blush, he is happy that he knows your name now? Your favorite Anime character is actually happy that the knows YOUR name?
The man let out a sigh and looked at you again.
"I really enjoyed your company y/n. I mostly didn't want to go to sleep because I was tired. I wanted to fall asleep because I wanted to talk to you."
You were overwhelmed. Eren jeager, THE fucking Eren Jeager dreams of you and seems to like you a lot too?
This has to be a prank, right?
"A-are you serious?"
"I am. I know it sounds... strange, but it's true."
You confused:
"And since when do you have these dreams?"
"Since i saw the sea for the first time."
It was quiet, You didn't know what to say. You were confused.
Eren calmly:
"There was something you once said that was very ... weird"
"Mh?"
"When i was in Marley, my goal was to attack Rebellion and take Zeke with me to the Island.
The day before the attack, you told me that Zeke's euthanasia plan is wrong. But my plan wasn't the right one either. You told me that it's you.
You would be the solution, you would be the one who could end this war."
You were shocked. I'm sorry, what? You can end the war? That's the stupidest thing you've ever heard.