(A/N)~ Hello all! Welcome back!! I pray that this uploaded on time bc I'm away from home rn and have like no internet connection 😭😭

Anyway, this update has got to be the most juicy one I've posted all at once, and I'm super excited for everyone to read. I hope y'all enjoy, and as always, I love y'all so much-- thank you all  for taking the time out of your day to read this ❤️❤️

Muah~

I opened my eyes the next morning and found myself doused in sweat, barely able to breathe out of my nose and having coughing fits nonstop. It seemed that somehow, I had gotten sick. I had learned in my World Health class that lack of sleep can weaken your immune system, so maybe that was why. No matter the reasoning, it was terrible. Even getting out of bed had me gasping for air.

It looked like I'd be missing class today, and that I'd have to save my conversation with Hitch and Yelena for another time. I scowled, rolling back under the sheets. Whatever. I didn't have the energy to care— the bubbling feeling in my stomach took up too much space.

The sheets felt too hot. I threw them off.

Now I was freezing. I pulled them back on.

Too hot— too cold— too hot—

"AGH!" I screamed, sitting up quickly and wiping my nose. I hated being sick. There was nothing to do but lie in bed and feel uncomfortable.

By late afternoon, I still hadn't eaten or drank anything, and had only left my bed to go to the bathroom. On my second walk back to my dorm after a quick pee, I started feeling the effects from lack of food. My vision was slightly blurry and my head felt faint. I wobbled back to my room as quickly as possible, thankfully making it there before I could pass out. When I opened the door, I collapsed back onto the bed immediately, still dressed in my PJs.

I pressed a hand against my forehead. Burning hot.

"Fuck me," I moaned, "When will this end?"

I grabbed my phone from my desk to text Jean and ask for the homework— it was dead.

"FUCK!" I threw my phone across the room. Everything was irritating me today. It looked like my only option was to lie down and try to sleep it off, so that's what I did.

A knock at the door startled me awake.

"It's open," I groaned, keeping my head rested on the pillow, facing away from the entrance to my dorm, eyes fixated on the wall.

"Howdy," I heard a low voice and a set of footsteps enter the room. Though I couldn't see the door, I knew instantly that it was Eren. Not only was it the tone of voice, but only Eren had such a distinct and cringe-worthy way of saying 'hello'. After a few moments of silence, he spoke again:

"Are you sick?" he asked.

I mumbled something incoherently in reply.

"I can tell— you're sniffling. Have you eaten?" There was an edge of concern in his voice.

I shook my head slightly, still feeling weak. I heard more movement behind me— it sounded like Eren was opening my fridge. I wasn't sure why, but I still hadn't turned to face him. Eren didn't make a comment about it.

"No food, huh? Do you want me to go get you something?" he asked softly.

I mumbled nonsense back.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'. You need to eat."

"Why are you here?" I grumbled, voice just over a whisper.

"Humm...?"

I stared at the wall next to me and repeated myself more loudly: "Why are you here?"

I heard Eren laugh awkwardly. I could picture his flashing smile even though I couldn't see him.

"I missed you at class today. Wanted to see what was up..." I listened as his footsteps headed towards the door, "I'll be back for you."

The door clicked closed behind him. I sighed deeply. That's nice of him.

I didn't expect Eren to be so considerate, much less care about me in the slightest. But, I'd take what I could get. I wanted to stay awake for his return, but sleep was starting to become more enticing to me, and I didn't want to pass up this one opportunity for rest, since I had been having such a hard time getting comfortable earlier.

Maybe just for a few minutes...

I closed my eyes, feeling more and more drowsy by the second.

———

My ears perked up when I heard the door open. I was still half-asleep when Eren came back in.

"(Y/N)?"

I was too tired to answer. I heard Eren set something down on my desk.

"Sleeping, huh? That's good." Eren sighed deeply— I felt my mattress shift as he sat on the ground, dropping his head onto the bed by my feet. "I guess I can spare a few minutes and stay anyway..."

I shuffled under the sheets a bit so I could see him. Eren didn't seem to notice. His hair was in its usual messy half-bun, dark strands spreading across the comforter. The soft light from the window illuminated his sharp nose and jawline. Eren's hair flew up into the air as he exhaled, blowing it out of his green eyes. It fell right back onto his face.

"I hate this damn hair," he mumbled, brushing it behind his ear. His silver earring dangled cooly, flashing elegantly in the light. Eren's hand shaded his eyes from the sun.

Everything about him was so perfect. Even his imperfections were perfect.

Eren closed his eyes and I watched in complete silence as his breathing slowed and he relaxed. His lips were parted slightly, small, light breaths escaping them.

I wanted to live in this moment forever. Like I had said, Eren was just so perfectly perfect.

I tensed slightly— feeling something close to my leg. It was Eren's hand. He had dropped it from covering his face. My eyes darted down to stare at the small steel band wrapped around one finger. Even through the sheets, I could feel the heat of his palm.

Eren's hands were funny: his fingers were always freezing, but his palms were always warm. His thumb barely touched the side of my leg above the comforter. Though it was nothing compared to how close Eren and I had been before, the feeling of minimal, innocent intimacy had me caught in limbo. There was something so pure about this moment.

I stayed awake the entire time, unsure of how long we had been lying there together. By the time Eren awoke, it was pitch black outside.

His green eyes opened, and in a flash I closed mine. I didn't want him to know I had been awake the entire time, staring at him like the stalker that I apparently was.

"Shit," I heard him mutter to himself. "How long was I asleep for?"

I felt the mattress grow lighter as Eren lifted his head up.

"11:30... I guess I don't have time to stay any longer, then," he sighed. "Ah, well... It's fine... she'll probably sleep through the rest of the night anyway." I heard him clap his hands together, "Well— just in case you're awake—" Eren addressed me, "(Y/N): I texted Hitch to tell Professor Levi you'd be out today... and I'll give you my notes from Hanji's class tomorrow..." Eren paused for a long time, as if thinking— I heard him suddenly stand up. "If there's anything else you need for school, let me know."

There was a bit more shuffling as Eren unpacked whatever he'd brought for me from the store. For a moment, there was silence. Then:

"... Also..." Eren inhaled deeply, "I'm in love with you, (Y/N)... I have been for awhile."

I heard my door open.

"I left the snacks on your desk. Eat them at some point, if you can. Or don't. It'd be better to know that you slept through all of this..." he paused. "I'll see you tomorrow."

The door clicked shut behind him.

I laid frozen in my bed, mouth hanging open in shock.

He's in-what now?