You got into your defensive stance as you stood there, while Krista stood across from you, the wooden dagger gripped tightly in her hand. "[Nickname]? Are you ready?" The blonde questioned quietly as she seemed almost hesitant to go after you.
You gave a nod, beaming at her, "Give me all you've got." She smiled at that, but the hesitance showed in her crystal blue eyes as she spoke. "Don't go easy on me, either." She was suddenly running toward you, dagger poised. Once close enough, you side-stepped, and swung a foot out and hooked her ankle to trip her.
She gave a sound in surprise, not expecting that move as she hit the ground, instantly wincing at how hard she had fallen, but were moving to grab the dagger as you lightly placed a foot over her arm and took it from her fingers. "I didn't mean to make you fall so hard." You spoke an indirect apology as you reached your hand out toward her, in which she took as you moved to lift her.
"It's fine." She answered, "It doesn't even hurt." But you could tell she was lying, especially as tears pricked the corners of her eyes. "Are you sure, because I ca-" "[Last Name]." You hear a darkened voice from behind you, and instantly tense as your sights catch on Ymir, her eyes dark as she stared at you. "Why is my Krista crying?"
You hesitantly turn and hold your hands up as you drop the dagger, breaking out into a sweat as the girl loomed over you. "U-Um, well, y-you see-" Your cut off with a yelp as Ymir suddenly twists your body around, "Pick up the dagger, [First Name]."
You comply, not wanting to face the consequences as you had seen what happened to the others who messed with Krista previously. Leaning down to pick it up, you then turn to face her, only to find she has gotten in a defensive stance as Krista stands to the side, watching the two of you and you wince once you take notice of the scratch on her cheek.
A few people have stopped to watch with wide eyes at the scene before them, everyone knew that Ymir held back at times, why? They wouldn't know, but having seen the scene before, you had accidentally made Krista cry and now you'd have to pay the price for that mistake. Maybe you should have just taken your chances and sparred with Annie instead...
You let out a sigh, and proceed to run at her, not planning to hold back at all. You make an attempt to step to the side once you get there as you take notice that she was reaching for you, but she notices at the last second and reaches a foot out, tripping you.
You give a grunt as you hit the ground, body having been twisted to land on your back, momentarily unable to breath from the hard impact as she hovers over you, pressing a hand to your chest, and right over your locket, causing it to slightly dig into your skin as her dark gaze remains on you, causing your blood to run cold, she keeps it there several moments, before Krista suddenly cuts in. "Ymir! Let [Nickname] go!" You cough a few seconds as you catch your breath.
The girl has tears in her eyes, but this time it's from your state of pain, but you only lay there, somewhat dazed, however, you find yourself contemplating a new sparring strategy as you move to sit up.
You give a groan as you rest your head on the wooden table in front of you, back still sore from that 'showdown' with Ymir. Marco moves to rub your back in comfort, but instantly retracts his hand as you send him a glare as the touch flares up your skin. "Sorry..." He apologizes a little sheepishly.
You look up at Jean once you realize he's speaking, silent, but you listen anyway. "Well it's not like everyone can do it." You hear him say, before following his gaze to Mikasa and rolling your eyes, knowing she had no interest in the male. He says a few more things, and you glance over at Marco and smile as his face lights up with hope, eyes in wonder. "Yeah... it'd be nice if I could. There's no greater honor than to be able to work under the king."
He then takes a swig from his mug, but Jean reaches out and roughly pats his back as he sat next to him, you on the other side. "Hey, Marco." Marco sends him a look as the liquid rests around his mouth, making it look like some sort of beard. The freckled male looks on in surprise as Jean balls up some of his shirt into his fist. "Quit lying to yourself and just say what you really think."
The male then offers a smirk, causing Marco to break out into a sweat. "I know you want to enlist in the military police brigade, so you can earn a safe and pleasant life within the inner walls." A frown crosses your face, "Jean-" You start, but are cut off by Marco, "N-no way! At least I'm-"
"It's pleasant within the inner walls?" Another voice cuts in and you turn your head to see Eren glancing over slightly, he made it so obvious to everyone he disliked the idea of all this training, only to hide within the inner walls and be apart of the Military Police -- you were sure that was what he thought you wanted as well, after all, you had never announced to anyone your wanted regiment -- except for Marco, and he tried so many times to get you to change your mind which often resulted in arguments.
"Five years ago, this was also part of that area, you know." Something about him had changed, something had happened to him today as he seemed to have a different attitude at the moment, at least to you. The brunette then brings his cup up to his lips as you stare, not bothering to look at Jean as he cuts back in, letting go of Marco's shirt and turning to face the male. "What are you getting at, Eren?"
Eren nearly slams his cup down as he responds, but appears calm. "Jean, I think the inside of your head-" he finally looks over at the other male completely. "-is plenty pleasant, no matter where you are." Sarcasm laces his voice and Jean's eye twitches, and you can hear light laughter going around the area, stifled attempts at keeping it in. Jean glares half-heartedly at the brunette, "Why you-"
"Don't you think it's strange?" Eren suddenly asks as he grits his teeth and you switch your gaze between the two, "How we're honing our skills to kill the titans in order to get away from them, that is."
Jean's glare hardens as he continues to look at Eren while you start to clench your fist, prepared to stand if an argument breaks out. "Why bring that up now? For my sake too, this insane plan should be maintained." That simply statement angered Eren as he was suddenly standing, "You piece of garbage!"
Jean then stands up abruptly himself, "Shut up!" He starts, "Just face reality!" You open your lips to say something, but are cut off as Armin stands up as well, eyes widened in slight panic. "Eren, calm down!" Said brunette grabs Jean's shirt, teeth grit and a hard set glare on the male in front of him.
You're about to stand when you notice that Mikasa already has, "Stop it." She spoke in a monotone voice, placing a hand over Eren's fist gently, before separating it from the other's shirt and then grabbing his hand with both of hers and then lowering it as she looked at him.
You felt a pang in your heart at the sight, shaking off the thought that it could possibly be jealously. I mean... why would you be? Unknowing as your hand subconsciously to your locket, gripping it a couple seconds before letting go.
You then take notice that seems to piss Jean off even more as he is reaching for Eren's shirt the moment he looks away. "Don't screw with me, you bastard!" His voice is loud and he looks pissed beyond words.
"Let go! You'll tear my shirt!"
"Who gives a damn about your shirt! I'm jealous!"
"Huh? Jealous of what?!" Eren then stops once he notices all the looks he is getting from everyone else and then his gaze flickers to Annie, as even she seems surprised... interested, and then you, once he notices that you had stood, angered at the both of them as your hand was reaching out toward them, eyes slightly wide, the other still clutching the chain around your neck.
Snapping out of his thoughts, you retract your hand, eyes widening further once you notice what Eren was doing, as he reached first toward Jean's hand and was aiming to pull his arm back, the male surprised, as the brunette also proceeded to place a hand against his collarbone and applying pressure, ending it as he hooked a foot behind his legs and tripped him.
The male lay surprised, just as you had been previously with Ymir, shock written all over on your own face. He then moves to sit up as Eren faces him again. "What the hell was that?!"
You find yourself listening intently as you stand by the table, as Eren begins to speak. "It's a hand-to-hand combat technique that I went through hell to learn while you were slacking off." Eren then takes a pause, gaze flicking to you a split second before going back to the other male. "You think kicking back and doing whatever you want is reality?" The two have a staredown as Eren finishes. "Can you still call yourself a soldier?"
Your gaze immediately flickers toward the door as it suddenly creaks open and Shadis stands there with a look, you were sure sent fear through everyone. "I heard a loud noise a moment ago... Anyone care to explain?"
Jean proceeds to sit back down next to Marco, while Eren goes to sit next to Mikasa and you find yourself hesitantly sitting back next to Marco.
Mikasa suddenly lifts her hand as she speaks, "Sasha passed some gas, sir." She speaks bluntly as Sasha looks over at her in horror as she sits next to you and you proceed to hand your bread over to quiet her and keep her from protesting at all, in which she greatly accepts, but nearly chokes when Shadis speaks. "So, it was you again. Learn some modesty." He then leaves, and the said brunette is already standing, distracted enough to drop the bread you had given her and is over by Mikasa and frantically asking her why.
Noticing the glares between Eren and Jean, you give a cough, "Seriously, whatever you two have against eachother, drop it." You speak in a slight growl, quite fed up with the constant bickering. "I'm tired of it." Only moments later, you're standing and leaving the mess hall with a huff.
But... you find Eren's words to start playing through your mind... and why the image of Mikasa with Eren bugged you so much - and a somewhat bewildered brunette, and horse behind.
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So! On a somewhat related note to the chapter, I have started writing one-shots on Deviantart and it would be amazing if some of you could go check then out, maybe give some feedback :D I also do take requests -- including if you want a one-shot with a character based on a song, I'll just need song name, who it's by and the person you want to be matched with! Or if you have some kind of plot c: My account can be found below, just send me a message or comment somewhere whether it's here or on there and I'll get back to you as soon as possible!
Link to Deviant account: http://ravenclawgaming.deviantart.com