Damn!

Why must this week crawl by at such a snail's pace? Even the training session with Mikasa on Wednesday failed to captivate Nina's attention. Mikasa, ever the astute observer, noticed her friend's excitement and urged her to calm down.

While she spoke kindly of Erwin, Nina's heart raced like a hummingbird, refusing to be still. How will she survive the next two days without succumbing to a heart attack? Only when Nina immersed herself in her beloved video games did she find respite from her restless mind. But as soon as exhaustion set in and forced her to retire for the night, her thoughts spiraled into the darkest corners of her imagination, conjuring up the most bizarre and terrifying scenarios.

And when Friday finally came, and Nina felt as though she had been injected with pure adrenaline. She rushed home from work, only to discover that she had three hours to spare before meeting Erwin at the gym. In an effort to pass the time, she completed her weekly routine, cleaning her entire apartment, doing laundry, and preparing dinner. After all, one cannot afford to faint from hunger.

As the clock ticked down to the appointed hour, Nina packed her belongings in a flurry and hopped into her car to make her way to the gym. Upon arrival, Mikasa was already waiting at the entrance, greeting her friend with a warm smile and linking arms with her as they made their way inside.

"Excited?" Mikasa inquired, her voice laced with anticipation.

"Very...". Her dulcet tones quivered with a subtle undertone of hesitation. Nina's heart palpitated with such fervor that it threatened to break free from its confines. The chill of apprehension had crept into her fingertips, and a familiar sensation in her gut left her acutely cognizant of her present condition. It was akin to the sensation of nausea, yet she was unable to purge herself of it. Mikasa, with her discerning eye, swiftly perceived Nina's distress and tenderly placed both hands upon her shoulders, gazing deeply into her eyes.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you will get along very well. He will be here in a few minutes. Just wait for him at the seating area. I'll text him where he will find you".

She nodded hesitantly as she left the room, going straight to the spot where she was supposed to wait. The minutes felt like hours and Nina nervously threaded her fingers through her hair while her eyes were locked to the ground, counting the marks and scratches down there.

"I guess you're the cutie I'm looking for."

Nina's heart skipped a beat as a sudden, unfamiliar voice seemed to call out for her. In a moment of fright, she jumped out of her seat, her eyes searching for the source of the deep voice. And then, as if in a dream, she heard him call her a "cutie". Her stomach and heart went wild with excitement.

As she looked up, her eyes landed on a tall man with blond hair, bright blue eyes, and a pair of very charismatic eyebrows. He was simply the most attractive man Nina had ever seen. Standing almost 2 meters tall, his hair was neatly combed back, showing off a fresh undercut. His broad shoulders and trim waist were perfectly complemented by a fantastic ass that was firm and round, made from pure muscle.

Nina's gaze wandered further, taking in his chiseled jaw, high cheekbones, and a set of full, soft lips that were the stuff of adult fantasies. He was wearing gray sweatpants with a matching white shirt that defined his muscles even more. His chest was so broad and muscled that it almost ripped through the shirt. Oh, how much Nina wished he would turn around, so she could take a look at his muscled back and ass.

But even from the front alone, he was breathtaking, causing Nina to gulp at the sight she was blessed with. He literally left her at a loss for words until another voice pulled her mind back from oblivion.

"Oi brat! Don't you have manners? Or are you just going to sit there and stare at him like a coward?" The resonant and virile timbre of the other male sharply retorted.

Nina was enraptured by the alluring voice that had beckoned her, yet she could not discern its source until a diminutive figure emerged from behind Erwin. This man's raven-black hair was styled in an undercut, cascading in a manner that was slightly longer than the current fashion, yet it only served to enhance his roguish and untamed appearance. His alabaster skin radiated in the daylight that streamed through the colossal windows of the gym, illuminating his steely gray eyes that glinted with an enigmatic intensity. Though he was slightly smaller in stature than Nina, his broad shoulders and sinewy forearms bespoke of a tightly muscled physique. This man was the embodiment of every woman's carnal desires, and Nina could attest that he was not one to be trifled with or taken lightly, despite his size. He exuded an air of toughness and readiness to pummel any who dared to cross him. Could it be that today was the day of the "Misters of the Universe unite?"

"Don't scare her away off the batt, Levi. I'm sure she's just a little shy with strangers." The diminutive male clicked his tongue as he sauntered past her, settling himself at the far end of the bench. His eyes were fixed on Nina, like a ravenous wolf eyeing its prey. Nina's gaze remained fixed on him, unwilling to let him slip from her sight for even a moment. His movements were graceful, akin to a stealthy predator on the prowl. There was something about him that both terrified and captivated her. Nina couldn't quite put her finger on it, but he returned her gaze with equal interest. She couldn't discern whether he was vexed or pleased, as a sly smirk played across his lips. Regardless, she averted her gaze, focusing instead on Erwin, the very reason for her presence. As their eyes met, he extended his hand for a handshake.

"Hey there. My name is Erwin Smith and thanks to Mikasa, I guess I will be your trainer. Nice to meet you." Upon first encountering his breathtaking handsomeness, she was momentarily stunned, but quickly composed herself and bestowed upon him a gracious smile. In turn, he returned her smile with one of his own, which was nothing short of divine. His countenance appeared as though it had been sculpted by the hands of celestial beings.

"Hello, Erwin. I'm Nina. I'm so happy to meet you! I'm very excited, so I apologize ahead of time if I talk too much today. If it bothers you don't hesitate to shush me."

"You will regret these words soon, brat." The man on the opposite end of the bench snapped once more, prompting Nina to pivot her gaze towards his piercing, steely gray eyes. Their frigid and impassive demeanor left her pondering if this was his constant disposition. Despite this, she held onto the hope that he possessed a genial side and that his aloofness was merely a means of evading superfluous interactions. Perhaps, with enough courtesy, he would warm up to her.

"And what's your name? I guess you two belong together." With a graceful gesture, she elegantly traced a line between them, her slender finger moving back and forth with effortless poise.

"Well, sort of," Erwin answered. "He is my roommate and best friend. His name is Levi." With a mere cluck of his tongue, Levi appeared to be vexed by some trivial matter.

"Thank you for your unnecessary introduction, Erwin, but I can speak for myself." His discerning eyes flit effortlessly between the captivating Nina and the dashing Erwin.

"Brat! Don't you pay any attention? Erwin mentioned my name before. The full name's Levi Ackerman. I won't repeat that again. Understood?" Fury surged within her at the audacity of Levis' demeanor. Why must this diminutive individual incessantly refer to her as a petulant child? Is this a mere proclivity of his? The sound of Erwin's exhalation reached her ears. "Don't be so mean Levi. She's not used to you."

Levi emitted a subtle cluck of his tongue before elegantly ascending from his throne, making his way towards the weight training area without uttering a single syllable. His demeanor was peculiar and enigmatic, unlike any other she had encountered. As she observed his departure, her eyes remained transfixed on his posterior as he gallantly parted the double-sided glass portal before disappearing into the unknown.

"Don't be mad at him. He is always like that. If you get to know him better, you will understand him," Erwin elucidated, his mellifluous voice caressing her senses as he took a seat beside her.

She exhaled a deep sigh, her gaze fixated on the door through which Levi had disappeared, when a sudden epiphany dawned upon her.

"He said his name's Ackerman. Is he related to Mikasa in some way? They look so alike...."

"Yeah, they are. They are distant cousins. But let's focus on why we're here before I get jealous. I'm here for your training, am I?" He reclined his countenance upon the exquisite palm of his hand, his elbow resting upon his thigh, and bestowed upon you a beguiling smile. Nina's knees quivered at the sight of his resplendent grin, and a wistful sigh escaped her nostrils. Did he utter the word "jealous"? Nina's cheeks blushed a deep crimson hue, and she heard him chortle at your response.

"My, my, my aren't you a cutie? Now, come on. First let's check out what you're capable of." With a flick of his finger, he beckoned Nina to follow him, and like a loyal puppy, she obeyed. For an hour and a half, she toiled away at the fitness machines, her every move scrutinized by the watchful eye of Erwin, but to her great relief, he seemed pleased with her performance, satisfied with the strength and endurance she displayed.

As she worked, the other women in the gym cast envious glances her way, unable to believe that a man as handsome and refined as Erwin would deign to spend his time with someone as unremarkable as Nina. They whispered and snickered behind her back, their cruel words ringing in her ears like a peal of thunder, but Erwin was not swayed by their petty jealousy, his focus fixed solely on his trainee. And when he noticed the hurt and fear in Nina's eyes, he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, a gesture of kindness and protection that spoke volumes about his character and his regard for her.

"Don't listen to them. That's just the way to show you that they envy you. Be proud of that because that shows you that you have something that they will never have." His eloquent expressions are imbued with a graciousness and sincerity that have the power to rescue her from the abyss of self-deprecation into which she was descending. Without a moment's hesitation, she uttered the words that had been lingering on the tip of her tongue.

"I will try. It's not like I'm not used to it." Bewildered by her response, he gazed intently at Nina and inquired with a hint of perplexity, "Pray tell, my dear, what do you mean by that?"

Oh my! What on earth did she just utter? How could she extricate herself from this predicament once again? Merely diverting the topic? No, that would be far too conspicuous. Or perhaps she ought to divulge the truth? Indeed, that may be the most prudent course of action. It could prove advantageous to confide in a stranger about her intricate past and convoluted state of mind, and to hear their perspective on the matter. Ultimately, Nina had nothing to lose. One of her dearest confidants had always advised her to lay her cards on the table early on, in order to discern who was deserving of her attention and who was not. With renewed determination, Nina continued her workout, all the while recounting to Erwin the events of her past.

Nina, a solitary figure, has always been the target of those who seek to prey upon the vulnerable. Despite her fervent hopes for a fresh start with each new school, Nina has been consistently proven wrong. Year after year, the same cycle of torment persisted, growing ever more unbearable. Tilting her neck to the right, Nina revealed to Erwin a mid-sized scar, a painful reminder of the cruelty she has endured. This scar was inflicted upon her by a fellow student, the ringleader of a group that made it their mission to torment her. One fateful day, they ambushed her in a secluded location, where her cries for help went unheard. Without provocation, they subjected her to a brutal beating, culminating in a vicious kick to the head that left her unconscious and bleeding. Even now, the memory of that harrowing experience lingers, etched forever upon her skin.

Erwin was an attentive listener, his eyes agape with rapt attention. Nina, so engrossed in their conversation, was oblivious to the fact that her workout had come to a halt and that Erwin's hand had been resting gently on her shoulder the entire time. As she basked in the warmth of his touch, a solitary tear trickled down her delicate cheek. Before she could even think to wipe it away, Erwin had already taken the initiative. Her heart raced with excitement, causing her cheeks to flush with a familiar crimson hue. Could this be real? Had she truly divulged her deepest sorrows to a man she had only just met, only to find herself weeping uncontrollably? She felt utterly pathetic.

"I'm sorry. I don't want to bore you. Please excuse me." With a delicate sniffle, Nina attempted to delicately dab away the tears that cascaded down her cheeks with the back of her hand, all while maintaining her poise.

"There is nothing you have to apologize for, dear. I'm glad you told me. It's not healthy to keep your pain all for yourself. It's better to tell someone how you feel, even if its a stranger." As he uttered his final words, his countenance transformed from a scowl to a grin, his gaze fixated upon her as he delicately cradled her visage in his palms, tenderly wiping away the tears that had cascaded down her cheeks. Though she yearned to embrace him with all her might, Nina knew such an act would be deemed unsuitable in this moment. Thus, she could only offer a feeble nod and a faint attempt at a smile in return.

"Thank you. I can't explain why I told you all this but somehow I have a strong feeling that I can trust you. Do you think that's strange?"

Erwin delicately caressed Nina's luscious locks before presenting her with a plush towel, allowing her to delicately blot away the perspiration and any remaining tears. "Absolutely not! I'm very flattered that you think of me that way. It makes me feel like we have known each other for a long time now."

Once she had regained her composure to exude an air of sophistication, he resumed his discourse with poise and elegance. "I think we should stop for today. Now that I know what you can do I guess I can make a plan for your workout. I'll see you again tomorrow and you better prepare yourself! You're going to play with the big boys now!"

Her gaze widened in astonishment at the audacious statement. What could he possibly be scheming? The morrow, already? Uncertain if she was prepared for the impending events, Nina cordially exchanged contact information with the debonair Erwin.

"Uhm....well....okay then. I guess I'm dismissed for today?"

Erwin chuckled. "Yes, you are. See you tomorrow. And don't forget what I told you about others chatting behind your back".

"I won't. Thank you so much, Erwin. See you tomorrow".

With a graceful pivot, she made her way towards the dressing room, where Mikasa, her loyal confidante, was already poised to assist. The air was thick with anticipation, and Nina was undoubtedly brimming with inquiries.

As the door closed behind her, Erwin lingered, observing the scene from a distance. His arms were folded across his chest, a picture of poise and elegance. It was then that a familiar voice broke through his reverie, drawing him back to the present moment.

"Oi Erwin. What was going on here? What was this cuddling all about? I told you what I think about this," Levi lamented, his tone devoid of any emotion and frigid.

"Hm. So you watched us the whole time? That's creepy even for you, Levi", Erwin scolded his friend.

With a customary "Tsk" of his tongue, Levi positions himself elegantly next to Erwin, exuding an air of refined sophistication. "I'll tell you everything when we get home".

"You better, or else I have to blame Mikasa for choosing you for this fucking job. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

Erwin let out a deep sigh "Man, you can really be a pain in the ass, ya know?"

"Fuck off, smartass!"