Chapter Text
Eren opened his eyes to the picture of his private-assistant, Arya, and her obnoxiously loud voice informing him about the procedures and operations to his eventful week. After tomorrow, Eren would be leaving Paradis Island to attend an international, prestigious ball located in Hizuru. The boy was not informed about the details and important information considering this seemingly odd gathering, but he decided that since Commander Hanji Zoe and Squad-leader Levi Ackerman were fully supportive of the idea, then he should only obligate and obey to avoid possible conflict and tension.
(Ever since the shocking news about the outside world and Azumabito’s strange assistance, the military had been on great pressure, especially the Survey Corps Police Department.)
However, Eren had woken up to a peculiar dormancy settling inside of his core, not to mention his excessive laziness. He brushed the pang of conscience aside, though, and dismissed his emotions with half-excuses.
Eren groaned softly as he limped towards his private bathroom. Okay, this is not normal at all, Eren thought. The boy continued to hobble until he reached the marble countertops. He displayed his hands above the cold texture of the marble for support. Eren breathed loudly, and noticed how his night-shirt had nearly emerged with his skin due to immoderate sweat. His mind debated whether he should tell his assistant about his overwhelming changes or keep quiet and wait until after his meeting with the Azumabito Royal Family gathering.
His brain only grew hazier, and his eyelids were fluttering slowly every time he blinked, his limbs were shaky and hesitant of control, while his skin only produced more sweat.
Eren stretched his eyes open one last time before losing conscience, and landing harshly above the cold, stone-hard floor.
———
Eren’s mind-subconscious returned partially, but the world was black and dark. He knew his eyes were opened, because he noted the chilly AC breezing above him. The boy panicked, he whimpered, because he wasn’t able to control his limbs at all, not even his pinky-finger.
“Eren! You’re awake.”
Eren opened his mouth, only to produce a barely-audible moan. He recognized the dull, tiresome voice as Mikasa’s. Her clothed arms hugged his torso protectively. Eren felt her blood-red scarf tickle his chin slightly.
“Ah,” Eren produced another audio again, he hoped Mikasa would understand his hints.
“Eren? What’s wrong?” The boy felt his best-friend’s arms unhook from his enabled body. The scent of her perfumed scarf, and metal-like smell was still fresh in his brain.
“Ah!” Eren moaned for the third time. Mikasa would probably understand by now, judging from her sharp gasp and quick footsteps. She was probably retreading to the base for more medical assistance.
-
Eren doesn’t acknowledge how much time had passed since Mikasa had left, but right now, there were five? Seven, maybe? Medics and specialists checking his heart-rate, eyes, and hear-aids. He observed with his ears the quick, rushed points and notes they were murmuring while they examined his odd state.
Finally, one of the doctors concluded with a hesitant statement, “Commander Zoe, we are pretty certain that this is a state considering titan-shifters, and due to our little knowledge I don’t think the medical-center could help anymore.”
Eren’s eyebrows arose as the medical-staff retreated from the room. He heard Commander Hanji huff in exhaustion, “I don’t think we have any other choice but to ask him, Levi. We have to act now, if the Auzmabito’s hear about Eren I don’t know what risk that would make.”
Him? Who is 'him’ exactly? Eren searched for answers inside of his mind, though, he couldn’t think of anyone. Unless…
Levi scoffed, and Eren could picture his sharp snarl. “Bullshit. Let’s just keep searching, maybe we will find something.”
“No, Levi. My order still stands. We need Zeke.”
Zeke?! They are this desperate? Eren never thought they would ask cooperation and assistance from someone like his half-brother.
”Fine,” another scoff, probably from Levi, “do whatever you want. Just don’t blame me when something bad happened and you need me to fix it.”
Eren heard Hanji groan. Then, angry stomps, (probably Captain Levi’s), alongside the familiar texture of leathered-boots dipping softly with each step, (most likely Commander Hanji’s).
Eren could smell his own disgusting morning-breath, and tears coating the inside of his eyeball. The boy is not unknown to dangerous and risky situations, but this experience is different. He isn’t able to control his body, nor move it. He wasn’t even able to see.
Tears overflowed the corners of his jade orbs uncomfortably, Eren fluttered his eye-lids to release the substance trapped above his irises and pupils. Thank-god he could blink.
His heart-rate slowed to an alarming beat, and Eren moaned again, attempting to alert someone. However, soon enough, he fell in-deep sleep.
———
Eren woke up, again, but this time he could see clearly. The boy’s pupils subconsciously noted the clean, white sheets he laid on, and the window sprung open. He saw a bird singing delightfully, and an ancient tree beside it. The fresh shades of green had never looked more lovely than right now.
Eren rotated his head to the right. A halo of golden, flourished hair was spotted almost momentarily. Armin was curled in an adorable ball, with his hands crossed just right above his knees. Eren felt his chapped, crusty lips slit into a humbled-smile, and he felt the familiar feeling of coddling heat at the tip of his nose and eyes return.
Eren sniffled with satisfied contentment, which caused Armin’s body to shift. Eren’s punctuating jade-irises met Armin’s oceanic ones. The boy observed the waves of emotions inside of his friend’s eyes, shades of blue swelled and wedged slightly, just like the movement of sea-currents and tides.
“Eren!” Armin’s voice was ragged due to sleep, but nonetheless, still soft and delicate.
He straddled his torso completely. The hug lasted for mere seconds, though it felt like years for Eren. The raw smell of Armin’s sweat and possible titan-blood indicated that the boy had probably been on a mission before arriving here. An odd sweet twist of feelings swirled in the center-point of Eren’s belly. He appreciated Armin’s concern.
”I came here as soon as I heard. Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Eren croaked. He coughed to release the tension in his voice.
“Mikasa! Eren is awake!” Armin exclaimed, and not moments later, a certain girl came bolting through the modest room.
Mikasa hugged Eren tightly again, crashing her muscled-arms with his weakened ones without a second thought. Eren groaned from the unexpected force.
“How are you? Are you okay? What happened? Did someone—“
Eren clicked his tongue and hovered his hand around. “I’m fine. No need to worry too much,” he shrugged.
The girl sighed. She excused herself to gather Commander Hanji and Captain Levi.
“So,” Armin started quietly, “what really happened?” He narrowed his eyes for good measure.
“Nothing! You and Mikasa just worry too damn much. I just felt really weird this morning and passed out, then I couldn’t produce sounds or like, see, but then now I can see.”
Armin nodded, then he huffed. “Zeke is here.”
“Yeah. I know. Commander Hanji and Captain Levi said, I heard them.”
“Your brother said it was something called the Inertia State. Something about titan-shifters unable to use their abilities but then they gain it, somehow? I dunno. It was really unclear since I was rushing towards your room.” Armin giggled silently at the end of his sentence.
Eren only smiled.
“He’s here.” A distant voice called from the outside of Eren’s room, which brought both his and Armin’s attention almost immediately.
A mop of familiar bushy, dirty blond hair peeked inside of the space, he wore a bizarre smile and round-shaped glasses. Zeke arrived, (alongside other important military figures as-well).
“Eren,” Zeke greeted cautiously, probably testing the waters.
“Zeke,” Eren’s soft, questionable expression was replaced with a nasty snarl. It wasn’t a secret that he loathed his half-brother.
Zeke chose to speak of nothing. He only peered at the depth of Eren’s dull green eyes, (that were usually vibrating with determination and passion). Until, the man had finally grasped a chair in his hand and placed it right in-front of Eren’s bed.
“You probably want to know what’s happening to you right now.”
“Yes.”
“It’s called the Inertia State. Every titan-shifter goes through that phase, especially teenagers, since harmonies mix up with your titan gene. Stuff like that. The purpose of this state is to allow your body to recollect its abilities and eventually, grow more stronger. But, this phase has very strong side-affects. It weakens your body, knocks you unconscious, and enables your from using your titan-abilities. Which means, you won’t be able to regenerate at all.”
Eren’s eyes widened. The sleek sheen coating the roots of his hair only grew more excessive. He needs to be in Hizuru next morning, not to mention an International Ball, which means a possible deadly enemy. Eren calculated the military’s options. They won’t allow Eren to leave Paradis Island in this state. He has nothing to worry about…right?
“I think it’s best if Eren doesn’t attend Hizuru’s International Ball. Just keep him here until he regains his powers again.”
“No one asked for your opinion, Hairball,” Captain Levi hissed. Eren bets he probably agrees with Zeke, though.
“No. Eren needs to go. This invitation is the perfect opportunity for the rest of the world to see how Eldia really is,” Commander Hanji argued.
Captain Levi’s pupils grew smaller in shape, his sclera seemed larger as-well. “Are you out of your fucking mind, Hanji? Eren can’t regenerate, so if he dies, he dies.”
“Y-yeah. You can’t just decide right away, Commander. Please, just think about it. Our best option is to keep Eren here. Safe and sound until he regains his powers,” Armin said, his voice was shakier than usual.
Eren glanced to the left. Mikasa was sitting beside him. Her thin, defined eyebrows were furrowed down and puckered up. The boy saw how she gripped the white-sheets of the bed harshly. He could indicate her anger, seemingly from the veins bumped on her long neck.
“You people don’t understand how important this international gathering is. Eren won’t go alone, obviously. I won’t ever let that happen. I’ll select a soldier to accompany Eren to the inside of the ball, while Levi’s squad guards him from the inside.”
Commander Hanji massaged their temples delicately. Eren felt sympathy towards them. Commander Hanji had been pressured due to military activities ever since Erwin Smith passed away.
“Great job, Hanji. You just told your whole plan away to Beardy,” Captain Levi scoffed in disbelief.
“He will be locked up, Levi.”
Eren watched the two of his monitors bicker while they retread to their original base. Military-soldiers followed them with paper-work, meetings and details while others came to recollect Zeke.
Eren felt the lump in his throat add into a wedged ball he couldn’t swallow. The immense use of energy and emotions had left him exhausted mentally and physically. The boy fell horizontally above his pillow. He groaned in agony.
“They can’t be serious.” Mikasa’s veins seemed like they were on the verge of exploding.
“I just—I don’t understand how Commander Hanji would make a big decision like this without thinking about it…” Armin sighed.
“Me neither.”
Eren heard his friends discuss the latest events. His mind was hazed once again. The sweat returned to the usual parts it settled in. His eyes were slowly dazing off. Though, he shook the hypnotizing feeling. Eren never wants to experience a sleep paralysis ever again.
———
“Here…this is an injection to enable Eren’s body from passing out. It only helps partly, though. And the instructions are pretty specific. Don’t allow him to take more than one dose every nine hours.” Eren huffed softly. He heard Zeke’s voice informing somebody about injections and what not.
“Thank you, Zeke,” Hanji’s gruff voice added.
“Don’t thank him!” Levi hissed loudly.
Eren stretched his eyes open for the fourth time today. He doesn’t have the ability to stretch his limbs and attempt to start conversation with his monitors. The sweat subtracted from his earlier state had been removed entirely. His eyes weren’t blurry and phased anymore. He could see clearly, hear clearly, and move, but he’s too tired, too depressed.
Someone must’ve noticed his eyes twitching open every once in a while. “Oh good. You’re awake. Finally,” said Commander Hanji.
Their image was printed in Eren’s brain momentarily after they appeared in-front of him. He tossed his head to the side, indicting his extreme exhaustion. The boy groaned.
“Nope. You aren’t going to sleep again.”
Levi forced Eren to sit up, though the boy fought aggressively for that. Eren jerked his arm away from the captain. He growled like an uncontrollable, bizarre animal.
“Eren. We got something that could make you feel better. Please, try to cooperate,” Commander Hanji attempted to convince the boy softly, though Captain Levi’s patience seemed to decrease by the minute.
“I don’t wanna.” Eren’s voice was groggy. His throat was achingly dry.
“Alright. Enough with the whining.” Levi shouted out to the soldiers guarding Eren’s modest room. He constructed them to grasp Eren’s arms, legs, and mouth.
Eren felt himself kick and bite almost momentarily, but his will for fighting began to fade as Commander Hanji injected the serum inside of his body.
“This injection will help you with blacking out and energy. Shit like that. Remember to take it every nine hours, and don’t take more than one dose per injection,” Captain Levi informed Eren about specific details.
“Someone ought to bring your food any minute now. Me and Levi have to check in with other things, but we will come back before midnight. If anything happens inform Arya, okay?” Commander Hanji rushed their soldiers outside the space, mumbling matters to note down, or file. Levi followed soon after.
Eren sighed. He connected the center of his head to the brick-wall behind him. The boy could certainly feel the great affect this serum has, but it doesn’t make up for the immense energy he used to have. Usually, Eren attempts to spend as much time as he can with his friends, but now he just wants to be isolated. The Inertia State is definitely a matter to be concerned about, however, Commander Hanji doesn’t seem distressed at all, in-fact, they seem more social and productive. Eren can’t tell whether that’s a good news or not.
“Mr.Jeager, your food is here.” Arya presented a delicious view of various vegetables, meat and soup. “How are you doing sir? I heard about what happened and I—“
“Thanks for the concern, but I really wanna be alone right now,” Eren interrupted his assistant with total bluntness.
“I—sure. Enjoy, sir.” Arya bowed her spine to form a courtesy. Eren rolled his eyes due to her over-exaggeration.
He sipped his soup slowly. Calculating every tang and texture of the hot liquid presented in-front of him.
The next minute he found himself in, was Armin, Mikasa and the rest of his friends attempting to enter his room. He could hear Jean’s bickering with his private-assistant. Eren chuckled to himself. “Let them in, Arya!”
The five of his friends were attending in-front of him. Connie had a sleeked eyebrow, mostly due to sweat. Jean’s stiff expression indicated his deep worry. Sasha’s heart-shaped lips were parted, and her eyebrows emerged together, similar to two horizontal brackets. Mikasa had a mixture of concern and relief splattered over her face. Armin’s mouth shaped a pout, and his eyes were glimmering with wary.
“Come here. What are you guys doing, just standing there?” Eren giggled.
The five figures marched right to the center of Eren’s body. He groaned, and attempted to adjust the soup in his grasp. He was attacked with several questions at a time.
“Are you okay?” Sasha asked in a high-pitched voice.
”What happened?” Connie questioned, this time, and Jean said at the same exact moment, “good grief, I though you died or something. Don’t ever do that.”
Eren laughed. His lonely, antisocial aura was replaced with joy and happiness. He explained to his friends what had happened, what he felt, the appearance of his brother, Zeke, and what the Inertia State was.
“Unbelievable… how the hell could Commander Hanji just allow you to go to Hizuru when you’re like this?!” Jean scoffed. He shook his head in disappointment.
“I dunno. But I don’t blame them. They had been in a really tight schedule lately and it’s driving them crazy.” Eren nursed on the chocolate-milk Nicollo had prepared him as a Get Well gift.
“So. Basically, what you’re saying is that they’ll come back before midnight and announce who would accompany Eren to that fancy gathering?” Sasha said.
Eren nodded.
“They will obviously select Mikasa. I mean, she is literally the strongest soldier after Captain Levi,” Armin stated confidently, but then he mumbled, “or will they…?”
“Yeah, or maybe Captain Levi himself. The guy can be really intimidating.” Connie tapped his chin in engrossment.
Eren hunched his shoulders. “Either way. It’s gonna be terrifying. I have never felt so human like right now. I almost forgot, y’know?”
Jean rolled his eyes, while the rest of his friends shrugged.
-
Eren doesn’t know how long it had been since Commander Hanji and Captain Levi left, but they are back, and with a precise plan they had plotted all afternoon. The boy was already exhausted, and prepared to sleep peacefully. His friends were lined against his bed in a perfect line.
“Where’s Commander Hanji?” Mikasa chipped in.
“They are back in the base. Important meeting stuff. Anyways, I’ll be the one to announce this plan today.” Captain Levi stood with his head high, and his spine arched horizontally.
“Eren will fly to Hizuru. A team of professional medical-staff and makeup staff will accompany him to ensure he doesn’t look as dead as he does right now. Then, Eren would arrive safely to his assigned hotel, with the soldier me and Commander Hanji picked. The international ball will be held three days from now, which means eighteen hours before his arrival at Hizuru. The ball would be packed with presidents and important ambassadors, which Eren would have plenty of time to learn about in his hotel. The gathering would finish later before midnight. Eren would go back to his hotel. Then he would go back to Paradis Island safe and sound,” Captain Levi paused, “but, just in-case anything would happen, soldiers from the Survey Corps Department would be scattered all over the space of the ball, and outside of it, as-well. However, the only person who would be able to interact freely with Eren would be the accompanied soldier picked for this specific mission. Sounds good?”
Everyone nodded, satisfied with the amount of information they had been fed.
“Who’s that soldier?” Eren asked the awaited question.
“Armin.”
“Yes, Captain?”
“No—“ Captain Levi sighed. “Armin is the soldier who would accompany you.”
“What?!” Armin gasped. “That’s so reckless. I can barely protect myself. Captain Levi you’re making irrational decisions. First, you and Commander Hanji decide to plane-ship Eren to a place we have never been to, let alone explored, then you select me with a job like this?” The fresh, pale color of Armin’s skin began to fade into a sick white shade. “No. I refuse,” the boy clicked his tongue, “I can’t be Eren’s personal body-guard.”
“Armin. Calm yourself, for gods sake, even Eren is not that concerned. You had developed over the past few years, both physically and mentally. You are able to make great decisions in horrific situations, not to mention your observation skills. You’re calm and collected. You don’t have to be a whole ass buff guy to be one of the most elite soldiers the Survey Corps had ever met. That’s why I picked you on my team.”
Eren couldn’t lie to himself. The situation of Armin protecting him from a possible enemy is overwhelming and scary, but he trusts him more than anything—hell, even more than himself. Levi was absolutely correct, Armin is calm and cool in terrifying experiences. He is brave, and his defensive skills are not horrible. Plus, most of the Survey Corps Police Department would be attending this event.
“What if I fail? What if Eren dies and you were wrong? What’s gonna happen then?” Eren could pin-point the anger surging like venom from Armin’s doubtful statements. He knows Armin doesn’t believe in himself. The boy sighed, if only he could see himself in my eyes.
”Armin. It’s gonna be fine. I trust you.” Eren placed a gentle, firm hand over Armin’s. He captured his grasp tightly.