To the End of the World - Eren Yeager x Reader

The sun rose and fell, day after day, casting slow-moving shadows across the infirmary walls. You remained in bed, your movements limited and your mind restless. Normally, the confinement would have driven you mad—but your friends, thankfully, made the days feel less heavy.

Sasha, Jean, Marco, and Connie were the first to visit. Sasha brought snacks stuffed into her pockets—some half-eaten—and would chatter away about how boring training was without you. Jean, oddly formal, arrived with flowers he admitted he’d picked himself. You chuckled, telling him it really wasn’t necessary, that you weren’t dying and wouldn’t be here much longer. His response was quiet and shy, cheeks a soft shade of red as he said it was no trouble at all. You appreciated them regardless. Connie, of course, claimed he told Jean the same thing but got ignored. Jean responded with a punch to Connie’s shoulder, prompting a round of light-hearted bickering that filled the room with warmth.

Krista and Ymir came often too. Krista, as gentle as always, would hover beside your bed, helping you change bandages even though you reassured her the nurse had it covered. She’d smile faintly, insisting it made her feel useful. Ymir leaned against the wall, arms crossed, tossing the occasional snarky remark your way—but the fondness in her tone never slipped. You appreciated both of them more than words could say.

Then came Mikasa and Armin. Their visits were quiet but comforting. Mikasa would listen more than speak, watching over you like she always did. Armin brought your class notes and spent time helping you catch up, his voice soft but full of focus. Sometimes they'd stay for hours, updating you on training, little things the others forgot to mention.

But no matter how many times the door opened, your eyes always searched for one person.

He never came.

Every knock made your heart skip, every creak of the door sent a jolt of hope through your chest—only for it to fade as quickly as it rose. Eren was never with them.

You wanted to ask about him, wanted to understand what he meant when he left that day, what he was really thinking. When you finally worked up the nerve to mention his name, both Mikasa and Armin exchanged quick glances before lowering their eyes.

“He’s been busy,” Armin said softly.

You frowned. “Busy how? Training only goes so far.”

“He’s... been pushing himself,” Mikasa said after a pause. “From the moment the sun rises, he's out there. Some nights, he doesn’t even come back to the dorms until everyone’s asleep.”

Armin nodded, concern creasing his features. “He sometimes skips meals. Refuses any of our help. I asked him why once… he just said he’s trying to be strong enough to never need help again.”

You felt your chest tighten, the ache dull but constant.

So that’s what this is about. That moment. That choice. And now he was burying himself in guilt while shutting everyone out—including you.

And day after day, the more you think back to that moment… the more you realize what you did might have done more harm than good. Your intention wasn’t to make Eren feel weak or doubtful. You just didn’t want him to get hurt. Is that so wrong?

You sigh, arm slung over your forehead as you lie in bed, staring up at the ceiling. You have to fix this—to help Eren see the reality of things. You hadn’t been trying to embarrass him. You had acted on instinct. You cared.

More days drift by, and with each one, your body continues to heal. The pain no longer sharpens when you shift in bed, and your leg finally feels steady beneath you. After a few light exercises to prove your strength, the nurse clears you to return to training. Two weeks—it had been a long, quiet break away from Shadis and the exhausting morning drills. But you’re ready to return. More than ready. You want to be better. Stronger. More prepared next time.