Zeke Jaeger x !Fem Reader
I'm thinking about making this a couple of parts, but I'm not sure rn, but if anyone would like that feedback is appreciated!
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Every breath was painful, every step shot pains through your feet and up your calves, pushing yourself to the limits you continue to run. The backpack swung around your shoulders filled with rations and ammo only weighed you down more causing a burning ache to seer through your shoulders.
That's all your life consisted of at this point but what other choice do you have? All you wanted was your family to be proud of you for once, to make life easier for them in Liberio. You were never good enough for them, though...at least, they didn't show any signs of being proud of you. Unlike your cousin her was fortunate enough to inherit the Female Titan after completing their time in Marley's Warrior Program. She became the centre of attention, the golden child of the family that you would never amount to.
Now you're here, enrolled in the very same program your cousin once was. You had to push yourself, you had to. It's the only time you saw even a faint glimmer of satisfaction in your parents eyes when they came to watch your progress during each exam. Each time going up in the ranks as you pushed not only your body, but even your mind to its limits.
You're pulled out of your thoughts when a hand rests on your shoulder and another warrior candidate doubles over a panting and gulping mess like you. You must have finished the run without realising it...at least your body subconsciously knows what to do. Regaining your breath as quickly as possible despite the protest from your lungs screaming for a longer recovery time. You had no time to show any weakness, any faults if you ever wanted to inherit a titan.
The warmth from the other candidates hand slips off you shoulder and onto their knees. You glance over seeing the shaggy blond known as Zeke Jaeger, doubled over right next to you. He wasn't the fastest, nor was he the strongest of the candidates...in fact, he high in the ranks at all and faced being kicked out for poor performance. What he lacks in strength and endurance, however, he makes up for in smarts. Even helping you study for written exams.
Zeke was your closest, perhaps even your only friend in the program. You related to him more than anyone, you could tell his parents were the same way with Zeke...all he wanted was for them to love him and to be proud of him, but they forced the same things on him as your parents did to you. It made you sick to your stomach they would do that to him, and the audacity Dr. Jaeger had to even compare him to you in the program.
Pushing down the anger that bubbled in your chest, you smiled at your friend. In the time you've gotten to know Zeke, you couldn't help but think he was rather cute. From the cool, blue eyed stare, his blond shaggy hair and how it fell at the sides. He was taller than you by quite a bit..but you didn't let your short stature get in the way when it came to teasing him. Although it would backfire on you quite a bit when he would place your things somewhere up high, forcing you to give him a pouty lip and pleading eyes to get your stuff back.
You had finished third which is better than last time, but you weren't happy that Marcel still came in second. It wasn't a spoken challenge but you and Marcel silently raced each other during these exams.
Focusing back on your friend Zeke, a half hearted smile tugged at the corners of your lips. His eyes were down toward the ground, a sad hue clouded them and you knew why...he almost, if not, dead last finishing once again and Magath was getting fed up with it. "Hey...it'll be alright-" you began, only to be cut off by sarcastic laugh from the blond haired boy.
"It'll be alright? If I fail anymore training and I can't pass the endurance exam or even beat someone in a fight I'll be kicked out," Zeke's stressed, his voice rough as he was still recovering from the run, taking in deep gulps of hair when he could. "My dad expects me to be able to do this, but every time I just disappoint him more..." he trailed off at the last part, you could practically see his heart shattering and tearing itself apart from just the thought of his fathers disappointment.
It was true the upcoming exams were going to start counting big time for Zeke. The titan shifters before you guys still had maybe two, three years left? They would be naming their successors within the year or early next year, and if Zeke couldn't improve his scores now, he was screwed. You bit your bottom lip, a wave of determination washing over you. You weren't going to let Zeke fail, "I'll help you then...you help me with the written exams, so I'll help you with everything else!" You looked up at Zeke, his eyes widened slightly with a bit of shock and gratitude. "We can start training together! I'm not going to let Commander Magath kick you out...I know you can do it, I believe in you Zeke..." a flash of emotion crossed his eyes, you couldn't tell what sort it was but a smile spread out on his pale face before you were swooped up into a bone crushing hug.
You were glad he couldn't see your face right now, a blush creeping up your cheeks and even to your ears. Your arms slowly wrapped around Zeke as you returned his hug. He was always there for you and you would always be there for him...and that was a silent promise you made yourself that day. No matter what, you would always be there for him.
~A Couple Months Later~
"Come on Zeke! You can do this!" You tried to motivate the blond haired boy. "You can't give up now...we've barely even started training!" Desperately pleading with him. Ever since Zeke had to turn his parents in for being Restrictionist, he seemed broken...
Able to save his grandparents, but what motivation did he have to continue the program now? It scared you that Zeke had given up so easily after that but it was understandable when his only motivation before was for his parents and to make them proud. Even if he didn't want to follow in their footsteps or necessarily agree with them.
You stood silently in the courtyard where you two had started to train..but now it was over, you'd lose your only friend in the program, the last person keeping you sane, the only person every there for you. A lump began to form in your throat. Tears threatened to start spilling down your cheeks before you body instinctively jerked itself back as a fist came flying past your face, barely hitting you. Your eyes snapped toward your assailant only to be met with a pair of icy blue eyes. Zeke...
You snapped out of your little flashback as another fist flew by you, barely able to avoid it. Ready to swing at Zeke, your fist was caught mid swing and legs thrown out from beneath you. You hit the dirt with a thud, the air knocked out of your lungs as you gasped from the impact.
Zeke stood over you with a smug grin sprawled out on his face. "Got you again," he hummed, seeming quite pleased with himself.
"Hey, you only got to this point because I had to train your ass," you shot back but couldn't help the smile that danced on your lips. You were happy that Zeke stayed and continued to train with you...truthfully, if it wasn't for Ksaver, the inheritor of the Beast Titan, then Zeke would have given up completely. "We'll have to see how you hold up in the exams tomorrow..." you bit your lip nervously.
With the amount of training you two did you were certain Zeke would pass, or at least he'd sit at a decent score to be considered a warrior. "Race ya back home," You grin mischievously and take off running without giving him a warning "Ah- Hey!" Zeke yelled after you. He let out a low chuckle before chasing after you, even able to catch up to you.
You smoked widely and for once you felt everything would be okay, your heart felt light and all you focused on was the moment. Wind rushing through your hair, glancing to see Zeke by your side and even admiring his own windswept hair. Before you were able to turn and run down the street you both lived on, a large hand grabbed yours and pulled you in the opposite direction. "Zeke!" You squeaked in surprise, "Where are we going?" You questioned but didn't put up a fight.
"You'll see," He smiled back at you. You both ran until you made it to the edge of Liberio, a grassy hill overlooking the sea. Zeke pulled you down with him to watch the sunset over the water, the beautiful hues of orange and pink mixing together as if it were all just a work of art in the sky.
"Wow..." You breathed out. The world seemed still, a gentle breeze brushing through your hair, skin warmly kissed by the setting sun. If only you could capture this moment forever..time slipping your mind and all that mattered in this moment was You, Zeke, and the beautiful sunset before you while waves gently crashed against a stoney pier.
Zeke's fingers brushed gently against yours and slightly overlapped them, unaware of how close you two were sitting together...you look up at Zeke and exchange a soft smile as your eyes lock for just a moment. The night slipping away into darkness lit only by the stars that littered the sky and before you knew it, you were back home lying in bed just wishing you could have stayed like that forever with him.
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"Come on...come on Zeke, you can do it..." You thought as you watched him run, he was faster, but you were still worried he'd fall behind and get the boot. But when he crossed the line and actually made it into the top ten you let out a couple of cheers and punched the air, running up to the tall boy and nearly tackling him in a hug. "You did it! You did it!" You laughed happily, if you weren't surrounded by other candidates and some Commanders for Marley you would have let a few tears spill.
Zeke smiled widely at you, his hands resting just above your hips when you both pulled away from the hug, "It's not over yet...but thank you, I couldn't have done this if you hadn't of pushed me"
You even watched Zeke take down his opponents during the sparring exam, a swell of pride gathering in your chest as you watched with an earsplitting grin at his progress. You may not be the strongest, but you relied on wits and endurance to get you through these exams and even taught Zeke a couple of tricks against stronger opponents to help him with whoever he would be paired with.
Zeke had the written exams down perfectly, and even cheered you on during each trial you two were put through...course, he couldn't speak while the tests were going on and being the first one done had its disadvantages of waiting for everyone else, but he gave you little thumbs up every time your eyes locked when you would look up to catch a few glances at the blond haired boy with those icy blue eyes. Your heart fluttering with each glance, you hoped he felt the same way..
Ever since that day watching the sunset together you two had become almost completely insuperable, spending nearly every day and moment together. Talking about the program, your lives, it was becoming harder to contain your feelings for Zeke, but you didn't want to ruin what you two had so you kept silent for now...at least, until the perfect opportunity presented itself.
"What titan do you think you'll inherit tomorrow?" Zeke asked, breaking the silence between the two of you as you waited for Magath and the other Marley soldiers in the courtyard with the other candidates that made it to the end of the program. You, Pieck, Porco, Marcel, and Zeke were the oldest of the candidates at 17 while Reiner, Colt, and Bertolt were the youngest at 10 or 11..you couldn't remember but they were quite young. It somewhat saddened you because the ones picked would only live another 13 years.
"Bold of you to assume I'd be picked. But if by chance I am...I don't know, maybe I'd want the Female? Not just because of my cousin. The Cart Titan wouldn't bother me either," You shrugged, you already knew Zeke wanted the Beast Titan because of Ksaver..even if it hurt him to know he was losing his father figure in the process picked or not.
Everyone's small talk was cut short as Magath walked up, accompanied a couple other officials for Marley. Clipboard in hand that had a list of names on who was picked and what titan they would be inheriting in the next year or two when the other shifters times are up. "Line up and listen for your name to be called...because not all of you will be inheriting a Titan." Magath's eyes scanned the line of candidates. The silence was deafening as you waited for him to read the names off the list.
With a silent nod Commander Magath begins to read the list of names off...
"Pieck Finger, Cart Titan,"
"Marcel Galliard, Jaw Titan,"
"Reiner Braun, Armoured Titan,"
Your breath hitched as the list of successors were being named off still waiting for your name
"Bertolt Hoover, Colossal Titan,"
"Zeke Jaeger, Beast Titan,"
One Titan left...
"Y/n L/n, Female Titan,"
You finally allowed yourself to breathe, smiling up at Zeke before your eyes trailed to Colt and Porco who looked hurt they did not receive a Titan. All their training felt like it was for nothing, they got so far only to be the ones to inherit nothing. You wanted to go and comfort them but they left immediately after Magath dismissed everyone. Everyone else began filing inside to celebrate while you and Zeke shared one last smile, staring into each others eyes before hugging him tightly. He returns the hug and even gently brushes his fingers through your hair, trailing his hand down your shoulder and to your hand, pulling you inside to rejoin the others.
That night passed by so fast..just like the rest of the year. You would be inheriting the Female Titan from your cousin and for once your parents were overjoyed and so proud of you. Throwing a party in your honour and in honour of your cousins last night. You should be happy..but you weren't. Your life was being cut short, as of tomorrow you'll only have 13 years left, forced to serve Marley as a glorified puppet and fighting wars for them. The only one on your mind that brought any peace to it was Zeke...
If your life was going to be cut short you might as well tell him how you feel, right? As the celebration began to die down you waited for everyone to retire for the night before slipping out your bedroom window. Making your way towards the spot you and Zeke sat at for so many nights just watching the sunset together, arms wrapped around each other, brushing fingers along fingers..so hopefully your heart wouldn't be shattered. Should you tell him before or after you both had inherited your titans? You didn't know. As you approached your spot you saw the familiar blond haired boy sitting on that same grassy hill, lost deep in thought.
"Hey.."You finally pipe up after a moment of silence, walking over and sitting down next to Zeke. You seemed to have startled him for a moment before he smiled half heartedly. "What brings you out here so late?" He hummed softly, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"I could ask you the same question."
"Fair."
Silence sets over the two of you again before you take a deep breath and look over at Zeke, now's the time do it, it's either now or never. Clearing your throat you speak up, tone slightly hushed, "Zeke..."
"Yeah?" He meets your gaze, tilting his head as he waits for you to speak again.
"I...I, well... fuck it," You lean in and kiss him softly, and to your surprise he doesn't push you away. His arms slowly wrap around your torso while yours slowly loop around his neck, deepening the kiss. His lips are soft, perfect against yours, the gentle and loving nature of the kiss was all you needed to know that he had felt the same way this entire time.
"I love you.." Zeke whispers against your lips as you two pull away just enough that his lips brush against your with each word, foreheads leaning against each other's. "I love you too.." you hummed back, slowly closing your eyes, just taking in the moment. The two of you just resting in each others embrace, frozen in time with just each other as you make up for lost time with gentle, tender words, and loving embraces.
Last nights events play through your head as you stood in a cold, giant, stoney room. A long staircase leading up platform that jutted out from it. It looked like a stone dock, smaller, and in the air. Everyone else had already inherited their titans and now it was your turn...standing in white robes you looked up at your cousin who wore nothing but a gown that looked like something you'd find in a hospital. Her wrists were held up in chains, mouth gagged to prevent her from running away or even transforming if she had any last minute thoughts to protest.
Even though she knew her time was up either way, Marley never liked to take any chances. Slowly looking over at Zeke who gave you an encouraging, half hearted smile, you looked down at the syringe in your hand...ready to inject yourself with the Titan serum. Taking a deep breath, you slowly stick the needle into your arm and begin pushing the serum in. 13 years left, a pawn for Marley, but at least you weren't alone...Zeke shared the same fate as you. You two would get to live the rest of your shortened lives together.
You two were in this together...
'Till the end...right?