Chapter Three

  Eren led Aurora deep into the outskirts of Marley, far beyond the prying eyes of soldiers, beyond the crowded internment zones, and into the cover of the dense woods. The further they went, the thicker the trees became, and soon, the city of Liberio was nothing but a distant memory. The air was fresher out here, quieter, as though the chaos of the world couldn’t touch them in this hidden pocket of the earth.

  After what felt like hours of walking, they finally arrived at a small clearing near a secluded lake. The water shimmered under the fading sunlight, casting a peaceful glow over the area. The trees surrounding the clearing were tall and dense, providing perfect cover from anyone who might wander too close. It was isolated—just what they needed. And with the abundance of wood around them, Eren knew it was the perfect place to build the cabin.

  He stopped, surveying the area with a calculating gaze. This would be their sanctuary, at least for now. He turned to Aurora, who stood by his side, still clutching his hand as if she feared he might disappear.

  “This is it,” Eren said quietly, squeezing her hand in reassurance. “We’ll be safe here.”

  Aurora looked around, her eyes wide with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. The peacefulness of the lake and the towering trees were a stark contrast to the world of violence and war that had consumed her for so long. For a moment, it felt like a dream, too good to be true.

  Eren let go of her hand and took a step back, his expression growing more serious. “I need you to stand back, Aurora,” he said, his voice low but firm. “I’m going to transform.”

  Aurora blinked in confusion and a hint of fear, her heart skipping a beat. She had heard him say he was a Titan shifter, but the reality of having to witness that hadn’t fully sunk in. “Transform?” she repeated, her voice trembling slightly.

  Eren nodded, his green eyes filled with a quiet determination. “I’ll build the cabin in my Titan form. But it’s going to be… intense. Just trust me, okay?”

  Aurora hesitated, fear creeping into her chest as she stepped back slowly, watching him with wide, uncertain eyes. “Okay,” she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest.

  Eren gave her one last look, his gaze softening as if to reassure her once more. Then, without another word, he bit into his hand, the familiar rush of pain triggering the transformation. A burst of bright, blinding light enveloped the clearing, and the ground shook violently beneath Aurora’s feet.

  Aurora gasped, stumbling backward as the sheer force of Eren’s transformation rippled through the air. The trees around them swayed from the impact, and the sound of Eren’s Titan form emerging echoed through the woods. Her breath hitched, her body trembling as she tried to comprehend what she was seeing.

  When the light faded and the dust settled, Aurora found herself staring up at Eren’s towering Titan form. He loomed above her, his muscular body casting a long shadow over the clearing, the heat from the transformation still lingering in the air. His skin was rough and hardened, his body massive and intimidating, but his eyes—those piercing green eyes—were the same.

  For a moment, Aurora stood frozen, her heart racing as she looked up at the giant before her. Fear gripped her, the sight of such a monstrous figure too overwhelming to process. This was Eren?

  But as her eyes found his, her fear began to fade.

  The Titan’s eyes—Eren’s eyes—were locked on her, watching her with an intensity that made her feel seen, even through the layers of hardened flesh and bone. Those green eyes, the ones she had known since childhood, were unmistakable. There was no malice in them, no anger or destruction. Just Eren. The same boy who had played with her in the streets of Shiganshina, the same man who had promised to protect her.

  Aurora’s breath steadied as she looked deeper into the Titan’s eyes, the fear that had once gripped her slowly dissipating. This was Eren. No matter what form he took, no matter how terrifying he might seem on the outside, she could see him—really see him—inside.

  Her hands stopped shaking, and she took a cautious step forward, her eyes never leaving his. “Eren…” she whispered, her voice soft but filled with wonder. She couldn’t believe it. The power, the strength he wielded—it was incredible. But even in this monstrous form, he was still the same person she had always known.

  Eren, unable to speak in his Titan form, simply watched her, his massive form still and calm. He couldn’t tell her how much it meant that she wasn’t afraid, how much her acceptance eased the burden he carried. But he didn’t need to. Aurora could see it in his eyes.

  She nodded, giving him a small, reassuring smile. “I’m not scared,” she said quietly. “I trust you.”

  Eren’s Titan form nodded slightly, as if acknowledging her words. Then, without further hesitation, he turned toward the trees surrounding the clearing, his massive hands reaching out to pull up the wood and stone he needed to construct the cabin. The sound of trees snapping and stone shifting echoed through the forest as Eren worked quickly, his immense strength making short work of the task.

  Aurora stood at a safe distance, watching in awe as Eren built the structure with ease. In less than two hours, the cabin began to take shape—small but sturdy, tucked away within the shelter of the woods and near enough to the lake for water access. It was the perfect hideaway, hidden from the eyes of the world.

  As the final piece of wood was placed, Eren stopped, his massive form still for a moment as he looked down at the cabin. He took a step back, the earth trembling beneath him once more. With a deep, rumbling sound, he allowed the Titan form to dissipate, the bright light of the transformation flashing again as his human form emerged from the nape of the Titan.

  Eren collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily as the exhaustion of the transformation hit him. He wiped sweat from his brow, his body trembling slightly from the strain of lifting such heavy wood and rocks for two hours straight, but he smiled as he looked at Aurora.

  She rushed to his side, her concern for him overriding any lingering awe. “Eren!” she exclaimed, kneeling beside him and gently touching his face. “Are you okay?”

  Eren looked up at her, his green eyes filled with warmth despite his exhaustion. “I’m fine,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I’m just… tired. That took a lot out of me.”

  Aurora’s fingers gently traced his cheek, and she smiled softly. “You did it. You built it.”

  Eren nodded, glancing over at the cabin. “Yeah. It’s not much, but it’ll keep us safe for now.”

  Aurora looked at the small cabin, nestled among the trees, the soft glow of the setting sun casting a golden light over it. It was more than just a cabin—it was a symbol of hope, of survival. And it was something Eren had built for them.

  She turned back to him, her heart swelling with gratitude and something deeper. “Thank you,” she whispered, her eyes filled with emotion.

  Eren smiled weakly, reaching up to take her hand in his. “I told you I’d protect you,” he said quietly. “And I’ll keep doing it. No matter what.”

  Aurora squeezed his hand, her chest tight with emotion. She had seen the power he wielded, the terrifying strength of his Titan form, and yet, more than anything, she had seen Eren—the man who cared for her.

  And for the first time in years, Aurora felt safe. Truly safe.

  …

  Eren worked tirelessly to make sure everything was ready for Aurora. After building the cabin, he set off to gather some simple pieces of furniture. They didn’t need much—just the essentials to get by until the raid. He found an old wooden table and a few chairs in an abandoned building nearby. A couple of lanterns for light and a small stove he’d managed to salvage would keep the cabin warm and functional.

  But when it came to the bed, Eren hesitated.

  He stared at the single, modest bedframe he’d set aside in the clearing. The thought of Aurora lying on something uncomfortable after everything she’d been through gnawed at him. She had lived years as a slave, deprived of even the most basic comforts. She deserved better than this rough, makeshift life. He could endure any hardship—he had before—but Aurora? He couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering even a moment longer.

  Eren’s mind flashed back to the bruises he’d seen on her skin, the weariness in her eyes when he’d found her. How long had it been since she’d slept somewhere she felt safe? Somewhere she could rest without fear or pain? Years, probably. The realization filled him with a renewed sense of purpose.

  He’d do whatever it took to give her a place where she could finally feel at peace, even if it was just a small cabin in the middle of nowhere.

  When he finally returned to the cabin later that day, Eren carried a mattress he had found, along with blankets and pillows he had carefully selected, all with Aurora in mind. He didn’t need much for himself—he could sleep on the floor, in a chair, or even outside if it came to that. None of that mattered. His only concern was her comfort. He wanted her to have a place where she could finally rest. That was his priority.

  As he set up the bed, Eren glanced at Aurora, who was sitting quietly by the window, watching the sunset over the lake. She hadn’t said much since they’d arrived here—there was still so much unspoken between them. Eren could feel the weight of her presence, the way her silence spoke of everything she had been through. He knew he couldn’t push her. He didn’t even know how she felt about him now, not in the way he used to dream about as a child.

  They weren’t a couple. Not yet, anyways.

  But that wasn’t what mattered right now. Aurora’s safety, her well-being—that was the only thing on his mind. He had always had a crush on her, ever since they were kids, and those feelings had never really faded. In fact, seeing her again now, grown and beautiful, only made those feelings stronger. But this wasn’t the time to think about what he wanted. Not with the mission looming over them, not with Marley’s eyes still searching for them.

  Still, as he spread the soft blankets over the bed, his mind drifted. How did she feel? Did she remember their childhood together? Did she remember those small, fleeting moments they shared when they were younger—the way he used to sneak glances at her, how his heart would race when she smiled at him?

  Aurora had always been special to him. She was the first person to ever make him feel like he wasn’t alone, like there was more to the world than just the pain of losing what he loved. And now… now that she was back in his life, he felt that old pull, that same longing to protect her, to be by her side.

  But he couldn’t risk letting those feelings cloud his judgment. Not now. He would never push her into anything, not with everything she had been through. She deserved to take things at her own pace.

  As he stepped back from the bed, Eren cleared his throat. “It’s not much, but…” he gestured to the bed, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. “I just wanted you to be comfortable. I don’t really need to sleep in it, so you can take it. I’ll be fine anywhere.”

  Aurora turned from the window, her eyes soft as she looked at him. For a moment, she didn’t say anything, just watched him with a tenderness that made Eren’s heart skip a beat. There was something in her gaze—something that reminded him of the way they used to be when they were younger.

  “Thank you, Eren,” she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of unspoken gratitude. She looked down at the bed, then back at him. “You didn’t have to go through all this trouble for me.”

  Eren shook his head. “It’s not trouble. You… you deserve this. After everything you’ve been through.”

  Aurora took a step closer to him, her fingers brushing the edge of the blanket. She bit her lip, hesitating before she spoke again. “You’ve already done so much for me. I can’t even begin to repay you.”

  Eren frowned slightly, stepping closer to her. “You don’t need to repay me, Aurora. I’m doing this because…” He paused, unsure of how to finish that sentence without revealing too much of the feelings he still held. “Because I care about you. You don’t owe me anything.”

  Aurora’s breath hitched, her heart swelling at his words. She had always cared about him, even when they were children. Besides her parents, Eren had been the first person to show her kindness, now the only person who made her feel like she mattered in this cruel world. Seeing him now, grown into a man who still carried the same fierce determination, the same protective instinct, made her heart ache with something deeper.

  She wasn’t blind to what he was doing for her. He had so much on his shoulders already—the weight of his mission, the fate of Paradis—and yet, here he was, making her a priority. Protecting her. Making sure she had somewhere safe to rest, something she hadn’t had in years.

  And as she looked at him, she realized that the attraction she had felt for him as a child had only grown stronger. It was more than just a childhood crush now. It was something real, something that filled her with warmth and gratitude.

  Eren noticed her silence and took a small step back, awkwardly shifting his weight. “I’ll… I’ll let you get some rest. I’m going to keep watch for a bit. Make sure everything’s secure.”

  Aurora’s hand reached out, gently grabbing his wrist before he could move away. “Eren…”

  He turned back to her, his heart pounding. Her touch was soft, hesitant, but it sent a jolt through him. He looked down at her, searching her face for what she wanted to say.

  “Stay,” she whispered, her voice so quiet he almost didn’t hear it. “Just… stay here. You don’t have to sleep outside or on the floor. You’ve already done so much. You should rest too.”

  Eren swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. He wasn’t sure what to say. The idea of staying there with her, in the same room, was both comforting and terrifying. Not because he didn’t want to, but because he didn’t want to overstep. He didn’t want to push things too fast.

  But the way Aurora looked at him, the softness in her eyes—it made him feel like maybe, just maybe, she wanted him there too.

  “Okay,” he said quietly, nodding. “I’ll stay.”

  Aurora smiled softly, and for the first time in years, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. Eren, the boy she had once known, the man she had always admired, was here. He was protecting her, keeping her safe. And as the two of them settled into the cabin, the tension of the outside world seemed to fade away, if only for a little while.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  For now, they were safe.

  …

  As the soft glow of the lantern filled the cabin, Aurora and Eren sat on the edge of the bed, the weight of the unspoken questions between them thickening the air. Aurora's mind raced, struggling to process everything that had happened. She had so many questions, and though she didn’t want to push Eren, there was one thing she needed to understand: how everything had changed.

  She had been taken away from Paradis years ago, but now, being back with Eren—seeing the man he had become—she needed to know the truth. What had happened to their home? To the place they grew up in? To him?

  She turned to Eren, her voice soft but filled with urgency. “Eren… what happened? To Paradis? To Shiganshina? What made you come to Marley?” Her fingers nervously toyed with the edge of the blanket. “And… how did you even become a Titan?”

  Eren tensed slightly, his expression darkening as memories of that day came flooding back. His green eyes, which had softened in the quiet of the cabin, hardened again as he looked down, struggling to find the words. It wasn’t something he liked talking about. Not even with those closest to him. But Aurora deserved to know. She had been part of his life before everything had turned into a nightmare.

  He sighed heavily, running a hand through his messy hair. “It started the day the Colossal and Armored Titans attacked Shiganshina… our home.”

  Aurora’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of those terrifying Titans. She had heard whispers of their existence, but she hadn’t known how deeply they had affected Eren’s life. Her eyes remained locked on him as he continued, his voice low and grim.

  “They broke down the gate of Wall Maria,” Eren explained, his fists clenching as he relived the memory. “The Colossal Titan—huge, towering over the walls—kicked a hole right through the gate, and then… then the Armored Titan rammed through the inner gate. They let the Titans flood into Shiganshina.”

  Aurora’s breath caught in her throat as she pictured it—the peaceful town she once knew, now overrun by monstrous Titans, the walls crumbling, the people screaming. Eren’s words painted a vivid picture in her mind, and her heart ached at the thought of the devastation that had been wrought upon their home.

  “People were eaten alive,” Eren continued, his voice cold but steady. “The Titans came pouring in, and we couldn’t stop them. The military wasn’t prepared. Those of us who survived had to retreat behind Wall Rose. We lost everything.”

  Aurora felt a lump form in her throat. She had been gone from Paradis for so long that she hadn’t known what had happened after she was taken. She had no idea the destruction had been so great.

  Eren’s eyes grew darker, his expression more haunted as he spoke the next words. “My mother, Carla… she didn’t make it.”

  Aurora’s breath hitched, her eyes widening in shock. “Your mother…?” she whispered, her voice trembling. She had known Carla well. She remembered her warm smile, the way she had always been so kind to Aurora and her family. Her mother, Nadia, and Carla had been close friends, their families often spending time together before everything changed.

  Eren’s voice was thick with emotion as he continued. “She was trapped under the rubble when the Titans came. I tried to save her, but I… I wasn’t strong enough. One of the Titans grabbed her before my eyes and… ate her.”

  Aurora’s hand flew to her mouth, her heart shattering at the thought of Carla’s death. She had been so gentle, so full of life. The idea of her being taken by one of those monsters, of Eren having to witness it—it was too much.

  “No…” Aurora whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. “Eren, I’m so sorry. I… I knew your mother so well. She was so kind, so…” Her voice broke, and she shook her head, trying to fight back the tears. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”

  Eren nodded, his expression grim but resolved. “It’s something I’ll never forget. It’s why I fight. To make sure no one has to go through that again.”

  Aurora could see the pain etched into every word, every memory. She could see how much it had shaped him—turned him into the person he was now. It broke her heart to think of the little boy she had once known, forced to endure so much loss, so much pain.

  But there was still more she didn’t understand. How had Eren become a Titan? How had he gone from the boy she once knew to the man sitting beside her now, with the power of the Titans in his hands?

  She hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. “But… how did you become a Titan, Eren?”

  Eren’s eyes flickered with something darker, something almost bitter. “My dad, Grisha… he was a Titan shifter too. He had the Attack Titan and he passed it down to me.”

  He sighed again as he continued, his hands gripping the edge of the bed as he tried to explain. “My father… he injected me with something. A serum that turned me into a Titan. It’s how we pass the power from one shifter to another. After he did that… I transformed into a mindless Titan. And in that form, I… I ate him.”

  Aurora’s eyes widened in horror, her heart racing as she tried to process the weight of what Eren had just said. He had eaten his own father? The thought sent a chill down her spine, but she could see how much it pained Eren to admit it. It wasn’t something he had chosen—it was something forced upon him by the circumstances of their world.

  Eren’s gaze remained distant, his voice low and filled with regret. “That’s how I got both the Attack Titan and the Founding Titan. My father stole the Founding Titan from the royal family, and he passed that power to me too. Now… now it’s all on me to finish what he started.”

  Aurora sat in stunned silence, her heart heavy with the weight of everything Eren had been through. He had lost so much—his mother, his home, his childhood. And on top of that, he had been forced to bear the burden of two of the most powerful Titans in existence. She couldn’t even begin to imagine how much that had cost him.

  Tears filled her eyes as she reached out, gently placing a hand on his arm. “Eren… I’m so sorry. I had no idea… no idea what you’ve been through.”

  Eren looked at her, his green eyes softening as he met her gaze. There was a sadness there, a deep, unspoken pain that ran through him, but there was also something else—something that connected them. He hadn’t told anyone about Aurora when she disappeared. He had kept her memory locked away, something too precious to share. And now that she was here, in front of him, the weight of everything seemed just a little bit lighter.

  “You don’t have to be sorry,” he said quietly, placing his hand over hers. “It’s just the way things are. But… I’m glad you’re here now. It’s like… I didn’t lose everything.”

  Aurora’s chest tightened at his words, and for a moment, she couldn’t speak. She had been taken away, forced into a life of suffering and isolation, but in the end, they had found each other again. And even in the midst of all the pain and darkness, there was a small light between them.

  “I’m glad I found you too,” she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. “I always thought about you, Eren. Even after I was taken away… you were always in my thoughts.”

  Eren’s heart swelled at her words, and for the first time in what felt like years, he allowed himself to feel something other than anger or grief. He didn’t know what the future held—didn’t know if he would live to see the world he dreamed of—but for now, with Aurora beside him, he felt like maybe there was something worth fighting for beyond the war.

  Something more than vengeance.

  Something like hope.

  Eren sighed deeply, running a hand through his messy hair as he stared at the floor, collecting his thoughts. Aurora’s gentle presence beside him made him want to share everything he’d been holding back for so long, all the struggles and decisions that had brought him to this moment.

  “When you left…” Eren began, his voice low and steady, “it felt like a part of me disappeared too. I didn’t understand why you were gone, and no one had any answers. After a while, I stopped asking. I guess I tried to move on, but… it wasn’t easy.”

  Aurora’s heart ached as she listened to him. She had never imagined the impact her sudden disappearance would have had on him. She had been taken against her will, but she had never stopped thinking about him either.

  “I didn’t really have friends after that,” Eren continued, his gaze distant as he spoke. “But then I met Armin. He was always this quiet, bookish kid, but he had dreams. Big dreams. He used to talk about the world beyond the walls, about the ocean, the deserts, the snow-capped mountains. At first, I thought he was crazy, but… his dreams kind of stuck with me. He made me believe there was more to life than just surviving inside those walls.”

  A small smile tugged at the corners of Eren’s lips, though it was tinged with sadness. “And then, when I was nine, I met Mikasa. My father had gone to check on her family, but when he didn’t come back, I went after him. I found Mikasa’s parents dead… they were killed by traffickers. I… I killed two of the men who did it. Mikasa killed the third after I told her to fight back.”

  Aurora’s eyes widened as she listened, shocked by the brutality of it all. But there was something about the way Eren spoke—his voice was filled with a fierce protectiveness for the people in his life, even when he had been just a child.

  “Mikasa became part of our family after that. She’s strong—stronger than anyone I know, really. But she’s… complicated.” Eren hesitated, glancing briefly at Aurora before continuing. “She’s been with me ever since, and so has Armin. We joined the military together. I didn’t have much of a choice after Wall Maria fell. I needed to fight back. I had to protect what was left.”

  Aurora nodded slowly, her mind racing as she absorbed the details of Eren’s life after she had been taken. She hadn’t been there to witness any of it, but she could feel the weight of those years in his voice. He had been through so much—more than she could have ever imagined.

  “I joined the Scouts,” Eren continued, his voice taking on a more somber tone. “The Survey Corps. We’re Humanity’s last hope, or at least that’s what they called us. The ones willing to go beyond the walls and face the Titans head-on. I thought… maybe I could make a difference. Maybe we could reclaim what we lost.”

  Aurora could hear the strain in his voice as he spoke, the way his dreams had been beaten down by the harsh realities of war. She had heard stories of the Scouts, of their courage and sacrifice, but hearing Eren talk about it—about being part of it—made it feel more real. More tragic.

  “But it was more than just fighting Titans,” Eren continued, his jaw clenching slightly. “I realized pretty quickly that the real enemy wasn’t just the Titans. It was the world. The rest of humanity—the people outside the walls. Marley, and every nation that wanted us dead.”

  Eren paused for a moment, as if deciding how much to say. Aurora watched him closely, her heart pounding in her chest. There was something dark lurking behind his words, something that weighed heavily on his conscience.

  “That’s why we came to Marley in the first place,” Eren explained. “The Scouts originally came here for a summit. It was supposed to be about protecting the subjects of Ymir—the Eldians like us, scattered across the world. Commander Hange was leading the mission, trying to find a way to stop the world from wiping us out. I thought… maybe there was a chance. Maybe we could find some way to make peace.”

  Eren’s voice grew harder, more bitter, as he continued. “But it didn’t take long for me to realize that wasn’t going to happen. The world doesn’t want peace with us. They want to destroy us. I heard them talk about Paradis like we were monsters. They blamed us for the Titans, for everything. And they were planning to wipe us out—just like that.”

  Aurora’s breath caught in her throat as she listened, her hands gripping the edge of the bed. The fear she had felt for years, the fear of what Marley would do to her and her people, was echoed in Eren’s words. But there was something even more terrifying about the way Eren spoke now—like he had already accepted the brutal reality of the world’s hatred.

  “So I broke away from them,” Eren said, his voice low and cold. “I couldn’t wait for Hange or the others to act. If I didn’t do something, they’d slaughter us like pigs. We’d all be dead. So I started my own plans… plans for the Rumbling.”

  Aurora’s eyes widened in shock. “The Rumbling?” she whispered, barely able to comprehend what he was saying.

  Eren nodded, his green eyes intense as he looked at her. “Yeah. The Rumbling. If I unleash the Titans within the walls, the ones that make up the walls themselves, they’ll flatten everything in their path. The whole world. It’s the only way to keep Paradis safe. If we don’t act, they’ll come for us. And I can’t let that happen. I won’t.”

  Aurora’s heart pounded in her chest, fear and disbelief swirling inside her. She had no idea that there even were Titans hidden within the walls, and the idea of Eren using them to destroy the world—it was terrifying. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw the fierce determination, the desperation driving him. He wasn’t doing this out of cruelty or malice. He was doing it because he believed there was no other way.

  “Eren…” Aurora whispered, her voice trembling. “Are you sure? Is this really the only way?”

  Eren’s gaze softened slightly, but the resolve remained. “I’ve thought about it over and over again. I’ve tried to find another way, but every time… it comes back to this. If we don’t act, we’ll die. All of us. And I can’t let that happen. Not after everything we’ve been through.”

  Aurora felt a lump in her throat as she listened to him. She could see how much he had changed, how much the weight of the world had pressed down on him. He wasn’t the same boy she had known all those years ago—he was a man now, carrying the burden of an entire people on his shoulders.

  But despite everything, despite the darkness that surrounded them, Aurora couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration for him. He had been through so much, fought so hard, and even now, with the world against him, he was still trying to protect those he cared about.

  She reached out, gently placing her hand on his arm. “Eren… I’m with you,” she whispered, her voice soft but filled with determination. “Whatever happens, I’ll be by your side. I trust you.”

  Eren’s eyes softened as he looked at her, the tension in his body easing slightly at her words. He hadn’t realized how much he needed to hear that—how much it meant to him that she still believed in him, even after everything he had told her.

  “Thank you, Aurora,” he said quietly, his voice filled with gratitude. “I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but… knowing you’re here, it makes it easier.”

  Aurora smiled softly, her heart swelling with warmth. No matter what came next—no matter how dark the path ahead seemed—she knew one thing for certain: she wasn’t going to turn away from Eren.

  …

  Night had fallen over the cabin, and the quiet of the forest wrapped around them like a blanket. The only sounds were the soft rustling of leaves outside and the occasional crackle from the small fire Eren had built to keep the cabin warm. Aurora lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind restless despite the comforting quiet.

  She glanced over to the side of the bed, where Eren sat in a wooden chair, his arms folded and his head resting against his shoulder. He had insisted on sleeping there, even though she had told him it was okay to share the bed for comfort. But, stubborn as ever, Eren had refused. He wanted her to have space, to feel safe. It wasn’t about his comfort—it was about hers.

  He always puts others before himself.

  Aurora knew that sleeping in that chair couldn’t have been comfortable for him, not after everything he’d been through. She had watched him push himself to his limits today, transforming into his Titan form, building the cabin, and then gathering the furniture to make sure she had what she needed. And now, here he was, insisting on sitting in that hard, uncomfortable chair, keeping watch over her.

  He’s so strong, she thought to herself, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. And yet, he’s gentle with me.

  Eren had been through so much—more than she could comprehend. And yet, despite the weight of the world pressing down on him, despite his grim determination to destroy their enemies, he still cared. He still looked at her with the same warmth he had when they were children.

  But Aurora couldn’t sleep. The weight of their conversation earlier still lingered in her mind. Eren had been honest with her—he had told her everything about the Rumbling, his plan to use the Titans within the walls to destroy Marley, to protect Paradis. The idea of it filled her with waves of anxiety. The thought of so much destruction, so many lives lost, horrified her.

  She was a pacifist. She valued life above all else, just like her mother had taught her. Even after everything that had been done to her, she had never wanted to see others suffer. The idea of Eren unleashing the Titans to flatten entire cities, to wipe out innocent people… it made her heart ache.

  But at the same time, Aurora understood why he was doing it. The world had turned its back on them, on the Eldians. Eren wasn’t doing this out of cruelty—he was doing it because he believed it was the only way to save their people. To save her. And as much as she feared the Rumbling, she couldn’t ignore the truth in his words. If he did nothing, if Eren didn’t act, they would all be slaughtered.

  She let out a soft sigh, turning her head slightly to look at Eren’s sleeping form. He was the first person in years to show her any kindness, to care about her since her parents had died. After losing them, no one had cared about her. She had been used and abused, forced into a life of suffering and pain. She had been on the brink of despair, ready to give up.

  But then fate had intervened, and Eren had found her.

  He had pulled her out of that darkness, brought her back into the light. He had shown her that she mattered, that her life had meaning. Eren hadn’t just saved her from the Tybur family—he had given her a reason to keep going.

  How could I ever turn away from him? she thought to herself, her heart aching with the weight of her feelings. How could I turn away from the one person in the world who truly cares about me?

  She knew Eren’s plan was terrifying. She knew the consequences of the Rumbling would be catastrophic. But Eren… Eren was the only person who had made her feel safe, who had treated her with kindness, who had fought to protect her. How could she turn her back on him because of his plans, when he was fighting for their survival?

  Aurora closed her eyes, her mind swirling with thoughts of the future. She cared about him—more than she had realized until now. Eren wasn’t just her childhood friend anymore. He was so much more than that. She wasn’t blind to what he had become, to the weight of the choices he had made. But underneath it all, she saw the boy she had once known. The boy who had always wanted to protect those he cared about.

  I can’t leave him, she thought to herself. I won’t.

  No matter what happened, no matter how dark the path ahead seemed, Aurora knew she couldn’t turn away from Eren. He had been her light in the darkness, her anchor when she had been adrift in a sea of pain. And now, more than ever, he needed someone by his side. Someone who believed in him, despite the impossible choices he had to make.

  With that thought, Aurora shifted slightly in bed, her eyes still on Eren. She didn’t know what the future held, but she knew one thing for certain—she wouldn’t abandon him. Not now. Not ever.

  “Thank you, Eren,” she whispered softly, her voice barely audible in the quiet cabin. “For everything.”

  Though Eren was fast asleep, the words carried the weight of her gratitude and something more—something deeper. Something that had always been there, quietly growing over the years they had been apart.

  I’ll stay with you. No matter what.