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Dirty Little Secret
Connie
Connie has never considered himself particularly nosy. That’s Sasha’s job. She loves to be in everyone’s business, and with that sharp nose of hers, she usually ends up in the right place at the right time.
But Connie, no, he’s just someone who enjoys the quiet of the forest. Not that anyone would believe him, but he’s much more introspective than people give him credit for, and the forest offers a welcome break from the chaos of battle and Captain Levi’s relentless training drills.
Today, Connie volunteers to gather firewood. Winter is approaching, and they need as much as they can get. He walks slowly, savouring the chance to stretch his legs in a way that doesn’t involve running until he’s sick.
As he ventures deeper into the woods, the silence is broken by raised voices. At first, he assumes it’s an argument and can’t resist edging closer. The nearer he gets, the more recognisable the voices become — Eren and Jean. That in itself isn’t surprising — those two are always at each other’s throats. What does surprise him is what he sees when he creeps closer, concealed by the thick trees and bushes.
He expects them to be fighting, maybe trading punches or insults, but instead, they’re facing each other with faces flushed with more than just anger. Eren’s fists are clenched at his sides, his chest heaving, while Jean’s eyes blaze with an intensity Connie’s never seen before.
“Why,” Jean hisses, “Do you always have to be such a stubborn asshole?” His voice is low and dangerous.
“Why do you care?” Eren shoots back, but the usual bite in his voice is absent. Instead, there’s a hint of something Connie might even call desperation.
The space between them disappears, and Connie’s heart pounds as he realises just how close they are — chests nearly touching, noses almost brushing. The tension between them is thick enough to cut with a knife.
If Connie didn’t know better, he’d think now they would be about to start an actual fight. But instead, they just stand there, locked in place.
He’s about to quietly slip away when he steps on a twig, and a loud ‘ snap! ’ echoes through the forest.
“Who’s there?” Eren shouts, stepping back from Jean as if he’s been burned. Connie doesn’t catch the betrayed look that flashes across Jean’s face.
But he does notice them moving closer to where he’s hiding and decides he really doesn’t want to find out what they’re planning. He stands up and steps out from behind the trees.
“It’s just me,” he says quickly, trying to keep his voice steady. “Captain sent me out for firewood.” He attempts to sound casual, but after what he just witnessed, it’s a struggle.
Jean turns away, his expression unreadable. Eren, on the other hand, can’t hide his emotions as usual; guilt flickers in his eyes — something Connie’s never seen before.
“Mind your own business,” Jean snaps.
Connie raises his hands in surrender and steps back. “I get it.” As he turns to pick up his axe and head to another part of the forest, he tosses over his shoulder, “Maybe you two should sort out whatever this is before you end up killing each other.”
As he hastily retreats, the image of Eren and Jean’s charged exchange lingers behind his eyelids, making him reconsider their frequent bickering. It suddenly dawns on him that there might be more beneath the surface of their interactions.
He hears one of them whisper, “When did Connie get insightful?” But can’t tell which of them said it.
The more he tries not to think about it, the more it gnaws at him. He starts noticing things he usually doesn’t while simultaneously trying to convince himself it’s nothing — but the signs are there.
During training, they seem to avoid each other more than usual, yet when they do interact, the tension is palpable. It’s not the typical anger and frustration he’s witnessed over the years — there’s something else simmering beneath the surface.
Then there’s the time he catches them during a break. They’re sitting a little way off from the rest of the group, talking quietly. At first glance, it looks like another argument, but as Connie watches, he notices the subtle shift in their expressions — Jean’s softening ever so slightly, Eren leaning in just a fraction.
Despite the other odd moments he’s observed, this one hits him the hardest. Connie realises this isn’t just rivalry or anger. It’s something more personal, something that makes him uncomfortable to witness, as if he’s intruding on a private moment. But it also stirs a fierce protectiveness within him — because if anyone deserves a bit of good in this world, it’s those two.
“They’re together,” he mutters to himself during a sleepless night while the others are passed out. “Holy shit.”
He doesn’t know what to do with this revelation. Part of him wants to tell Sasha, because she’ll know what to do. But he also knows she can’t keep a secret, and it’s not his place.
In the end, Connie decides to keep his mouth shut. He’s not sure how everyone else would react, and frankly, he doesn’t want to deal with the drama. They’ve got enough to worry about, and Eren and Jean’s possible relationship really isn’t a priority.
Still, he can’t help but watch them, waiting for someone else to figure out their secret. Because really, they’re about as subtle as Sasha when she’s hungry now that he knows to look closer , and it’s only a matter of time before someone else catches on.
Sasha
Sasha is no stranger to sneaking around the barracks at night. The kitchen holds treasures too tempting to resist, and she’s perfected the art of raiding it without getting caught. She’s pretty sure Captain Levi knows what’s going on, but as long as the food supplies last until the next shipment, he seems to turn a blind eye.
The thought of suggesting using these skills for stealth operations occurs to Sasha exactly once before she realises it would take her away from the kitchen more often and promptly abandons it.
Her stomach growls loudly as she tiptoes through the darkened hallway. As she passes an unused room, she hears voices — quiet but intense. Ever curious, she pauses, pressing her ear to the door.
It sounds like Eren and Jean, which isn’t unusual; those two always find ways to spar out of Captain Levi’s sight. What is unusual is the tone of their conversation. It’s not the usual bickering — it’s low, almost intimate.
Sasha’s curiosity gets the better of her, and she nudges the door open. The sight of Eren and Jean tangled in a way that’s far more intimate than any fight she’s witnessed before makes her heart race. Eren’s back is arched, his face flushed, and Jean is leaning over him, positioned between Eren’s thighs with his hands gripping Eren’s hips and Jean leans down again, a smirk playing on his lips. Her gasp escapes before she can stop it, and the immediate reaction from Eren and Jean — both leaping apart with faces flushed — leaves Sasha feeling a mix of shock and confusion.
“Sasha!” Eren stammers, scrambling to his feet. His face is a deep shade of red, and he looks like he either wants to punch something or run away — typical Eren.
Jean isn’t much better, breathing heavily, his hair tousled, eyes wide with panic.
“What are you doing here?” Jean demands.
Sasha, at a loss for how to explain herself, mutters something incoherent and bolts from the room, forgetting her hunger entirely as she dives into her bed in the barracks, heart racing.
The next few days are strange. Every time she sees Jean or Eren, she can’t help but blush, the memory of that night seared into her mind. They both seem more on edge than usual, their interactions awkward in a way they never were before. It’s as if they’re trying too hard to act normal, but they’ve forgotten what normal looks like.
Now, Sasha might have excellent hearing and sharp instincts, thank you very much, but she’s never been particularly good at understanding relationships. Connie is, even though everyone assumes he’s an idiot. He was the one who pointed out Ymir and Historia’s relationship to her — something she’d missed entirely, even though it had been obvious to everyone else.
But even Sasha can tell something has shifted between Eren and Jean. They’re still bickering, getting in each other’s faces and pissing off Captain Levi, but there’s a new layer to it, a tension that wasn’t there before.
She starts watching them more closely.
One afternoon, she catches them alone in the training yard. They’re standing too close, talking in low voices, and she notices how Jean’s hand brushes against Eren’s arm. It’s just for a moment, but she sees it — and Eren doesn’t pull away. In fact, he leans in.
It’s one thing not to notice a relationship between two people who are openly affectionate like Ymir and Historia, but this? This is different. Something’s definitely going on between Eren and Jean because they don’t touch — unless it’s with a fist to the face.
If she’s noticed, surely others have too. There must be a reason no one’s talking about it, so she decides to keep quiet as well.
Armin
Armin has always been the first to notice the little things. He’s not a strategist for nothing, and part of that role involves being aware of the subtle details others might overlook. So, when he starts noticing a change in the dynamic between Eren and Jean, his curiosity is piqued.
At first, it’s barely noticeable — just minor things. A lingering look here, a slightly more intense argument there. But there’s definitely something different in the way they interact.
While the rest of the squad are busy with training drills, Armin takes a short break to review some of their recent manoeuvres. He hasn’t quite figured out all of Commander Erwin’s past strategies yet, but he’s determined to learn them and share them with his friends, so they won’t have to watch any more comrades die.
As he flips through his notes, he catches sight of Eren and Jean in the distance, arguing again. Except this isn’t their usual kind of argument. They aren’t debating who’s better at hand-to-hand combat or who can execute the best spin with the ODM gear. Their voices are lower than usual — typically, their disputes can be heard across the training yard — and they’re standing closer together.
Despite knowing better, Armin can’t resist edging closer, trying to catch snippets of their conversation.
“Someone’s going to figure it out,” Jean says, his voice strained.
“I know,” Eren replies, almost pleadingly. “But I don’t want to stop.”
Jean’s expression softens. “I don’t either.”
For the first time in a long while, Armin isn’t sure what they’re discussing. Their eyes are locked, and they don’t seem to notice him approaching.
“Hey,” Armin calls out, feeling like he’s intruding on something private and wanting to make his presence known.
As expected, they spring apart. Armin almost feels guilty for interrupting, even though he’s not entirely sure what he’s interrupted.
Eren’s face flushes, and he avoids Armin’s gaze, while Jean runs a hand through his hair and looks at the ground.
“You alright over here?” Armin asks, trying to sound casual.
“Fine,” Eren grumbles, and Armin recognises that tone — it’s clear Eren just wants to escape.
“Just, uh,” Jean begins, forcing a smile, “just discussing the formation for tomorrow.”
Armin raises an eyebrow, knowing Jean is lying, but he doesn’t press the matter. “Alright,” he says, turning slowly. “Just remember, we ride out at dawn.”
“Got it,” Eren mutters before walking away.
Of course, Armin has already figured out what’s going on between Eren and Jean. He’s already noticed how they’re drawn to each other, almost like magnets.
In the days following the incident, they seem to be avoiding each other, but that quickly changes. Eren’s gaze lingers on Jean’s a few seconds too long, and Jean unconsciously positions himself near Eren whenever possible. It’s as if they’re trying to resist an invisible force pulling them together — and failing.
One evening during dinner, after a successful expedition to their base near the ocean to gather more salt, Armin observes them again. They’re sitting at opposite ends of the table, but every now and then, their eyes meet, and it’s as though something unspoken passes between them.
Armin continues to observe the subtle changes in Eren and Jean’s interactions, noting how their glances linger longer and how their proximity in the training yard seems less coincidental.
While strategizing for their next expedition, Armin’s mind keeps drifting back to their charged encounters, piecing together the fragments of their behaviour. It’s clear to him now — there’s something significant happening between them, something that affects their focus and, ultimately, their effectiveness as a team.
Armin looks to Eren next to him, noticing Eren’s gaze keeps drifting towards where Jean is standing with Commander Hange and Captain Levi, discussing battle strategies. There’s a softness in Eren’s eyes that fills Armin with quiet happiness for his childhood friend.
“Eren,” Armin asks gently, waiting for Eren to refocus. “Is there something going on between you and Jean?”
Eren’s eyes widen, and he quickly looks away, his face reddening, his hands trembling. “What? No! Why would you even think that?”
Armin squeezes his arm reassuringly and smiles. “You don’t have to tell me. I just want to know that you’re safe and happy. That you can trust me.” Lowering his voice, he adds, “It’s okay.”
Eren looks at him for a long moment before sighing. “It’s complicated.”
Armin hums, satisfied with that answer for now, feeling relieved that Eren at least trusts him enough to admit as much. He’s still not entirely certain what exactly is going on between Eren and Jean, but it’s clear that it means a lot to both of them. And for now, that’s enough for Armin.
Mikasa
Many might say Mikasa is overprotective, but she believes she’s just protective enough. Who knows what might have happened to Eren if she hadn’t been there to keep him safe? It’s this instinct that makes her quickly notice whatever’s going on between him and Jean.
Honestly, they’re not being subtle.
They’ve been on yet another expedition to the ocean for several days, and as usual, Mikasa keeps a close watch on Eren. But recently, something has changed. He seems more distracted, more on edge, and that tension intensifies whenever Jean is near.
Late one night, Mikasa decides to seek out Eren. She has no particular reason, other than her lingering worry that he might wander just a bit too far from camp, stumble upon a lone Titan, and lose a leg before he can even transform. It wouldn’t be the first time.
When she reaches Eren’s tent, she opens the flap as though it were her own. What she sees inside stops her in her tracks.
Eren and Jean are standing incredibly close, their breaths mingling. Mikasa’s heart pounds as she watches a shirtless Eren’s hands gripping Jean’s shirt as if about to pull it off, too.
The intensity in their eyes and their close, almost practised movements hit her like a punch to the gut. She realises she’s stumbled upon something deeply personal and private, her concern for Eren clashing with the unexpected vulnerability she’s witnessing.
Jean leans in even closer, his hands resting on Eren’s hips, while Eren tightens his grip on Jean’s shirt. Mikasa can’t help blurting out, “What’s going on?”
Eren and Jean spring apart, and it strikes her that they’ve practised this move more than once — it looks almost rehearsed. Eren’s eyes are wide, his ears flushed red like when he’s caught doing something forbidden. He quickly finds his shirt on the floor and pulls it on.
Jean, meanwhile, turns away, taking a deep breath.
“Mikasa,” Eren says, his voice tight and clearly flustered. “It’s not what it looks like.”
Jean, still facing away, mutters something Mikasa doesn’t catch, but it makes Eren shoot him an irritated look before turning back to her with a forced smile. She gets the feeling he’s used that line more than once as well.
“It’s nothing,” Eren insists, though his reddened ears betray the lie. “Just a disagreement.”
She doesn’t believe him for a second, especially since he wasn’t wearing a shirt, but she knows pressing further won’t get her anywhere, so she steps back for now.
“You both need to stay focused,” Mikasa says instead. She doesn’t particularly care what’s happening between them as long as it doesn’t put Eren’s life at risk. “We can’t afford any distractions right now.”
They know this, of course. They have no idea what Marley is planning, and they need to remain vigilant and ready for anything.
Eren swallows, looking guilty. “We know. We’re sorry.”
The way Eren speaks for Jean and the way Jean barely reacts tells her all she needs to know. It seems Jean is done hiding because he finally turns to face her. “We’ll stay focused,” he says sincerely.
In that moment, Mikasa realises that if something were to happen to her, she would trust Jean to keep Eren safe. And that’s enough for her.
Historia
Hosting banquets is one of Historia’s least favourite duties as Queen. She often finds herself overwhelmed by the pressures of leadership, especially now, on the brink of war. When it all becomes too much, she slips away to the gardens, to the river that runs through the land, where she can steal a few moments of peace before her guards inevitably find her and usher her back inside.
As she makes her way to her usual spot in the shadows, she notices something unusual. Normally, she would be alone here, but it seems Eren and Jean have already found their way to the water’s edge, standing close together.
They haven’t noticed her, too absorbed in their conversation, and Historia instinctively ducks behind a rose bush — not because she has to, being the Queen, but because she doesn’t want to disturb them. Besides, she’s better hidden here than in her usual spot.
Their conversation isn’t laced with the anger she’s accustomed to hearing from them. Instead, they’re speaking in low, hushed tones, their words almost too quiet for her to discern.
Almost.
“Why do we keep doing this?” Jean asks, his voice rough and pleading. He shifts closer to Eren, their hands touching, eyes locked.
When Eren finally replies, his voice is as vulnerable as Jean's. “Because we don’t know how to stop.”
“It’s going to blow up in our faces.” Jean sighs, running a hand through his hair.
Eren exhales deeply. “I know.” He glances around quickly before stepping even closer to Jean, his free hand lifting to cup Jean’s cheek. Jean’s eyes close as he leans into Eren’s touch. “I don’t want to stop,” Eren whispers.
“Neither do I,” Jean murmurs and it seems like they’ve had this conversation before. That they know exactly what each other will say, and it changes nothing for them.
Before she can make her presence known or quietly leave, Jean grabs Eren’s face with both hands and pulls him into a desperate kiss — the kind she once shared with Ymir when it was just the two of them.
Her heart aches.
Eren grunts in surprise but doesn’t resist. Instead, he leans in, wrapping his arms around Jean’s neck and pulling him even closer.
It doesn’t seem new to them, Historia realises. It’s as though they’ve known each other intimately for far longer than anyone might have guessed.
As Historia hides behind the rose bush, watching the raw and tender moment between Eren and Jean, her heart aches with a mix of empathy and sadness. She’s long suspected there was more to their relationship than just rivalry, but witnessing their intimate connection so openly now brings a profound realisation. The intensity of their feelings, the desperation in their kiss, makes it clear that their bond is as deep as it is complicated.
It’s not just a fleeting emotion.
It’s real .
Jean begins unbuttoning Eren’s shirt, and Historia is about to slip away when someone calls out her name.
It’s her guards, searching for her. If they come here, they’ll see —
Historia stands up, placing herself between her friends and the approaching guards.
“I’ll join you in a moment. Please give me a minute of privacy,” she says kindly. The guards hesitate but then shuffle away.
When she turns back, Eren and Jean are frozen in place, their faces pale and eyes wide.
“I — ” Eren stammers. “This isn’t what it looks like.”
Jean groans. “Oh, for God’s sake.”
Historia steps closer to them. “It’s all right,” she says gently. “I didn’t see anything.”
Eren’s face turns from pale to a deep red, while Jean looks as if he wants to punch something — possibly himself. “Yeah, right,” Jean mutters, his voice thick with sarcasm. “As if this isn’t the most obvious thing ever.”
Eren squeaks, trying to catch Jean’s attention. Jean ignores him, focusing on Historia instead.
“I really didn’t see anything,” she insists. “And even if I did, it’s not my place to judge.”
Eren glances between Jean and Historia. Jean simply shrugs, and finally, Eren sighs, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “Thank you.”
She turns away with a smile. “Just be careful.”
Levi
Levi might not be the most patient man in history, but his tolerance wears thin when it comes to the emotional drama of his younger squad members. He has enough on his plate trying to keep them alive without adding their personal issues into the mix.
It’s become glaringly obvious to everyone that something’s brewing between Yeager and Kirstein. Despite their attempts at discretion — sneaking around the base, stealing moments when they think no one is watching — Levi sees everything. He notices the way they bicker a bit too much and how they almost avoid each other, only to end up alone together later in the day.
Their distraction is palpable. They can’t afford distractions.
What’s more, they seem incapable of hiding their antics from Levi — or anyone else. He’s caught them at least five times attempting to rendezvous in abandoned stairwells and cramped storage closets. Levi’s patience is at its breaking point. If they continue like this on an expedition, they’ll endanger themselves and everyone around them.
Relationships within the Survey Corps are a tricky matter. You can’t trade the safety of your entire team for the life of a partner, but it’s equally difficult to be objective when someone you care about is at risk. While interrelationships aren’t forbidden, many younger members don’t realise that, given the strict prohibitions in the other two regiments where the stakes aren’t as high.
Levi has two theories. Either they believe they’ll face trouble for falling in love or they’re oblivious to their own feelings and are trying to hide them from each other. Both scenarios are enough to make him want to tear his hair out.
As the squad winds down after training, Levi makes his rounds to ensure everything is in order. He passes by one of the supply closets and hears voices inside. He already knows what he’s about to walk into.
The unmistakable sounds of moans reach his ears.
“I’m sick of this,” Levi starts bluntly, banging on the door — a warning.
He opens it, eyes closed. “You’d better be dressed when I open my eyes in five seconds.”
When he looks, Yeager and Kirstein stand before him, hair dishevelled, clothes askew, and cheeks flushed.
Levi sighs. “This is the third time this week I’ve caught you two like this. Do you think I’m an idiot, or do you just not care?”
“I — ” Yeager begins, “We — ” he tries to explain.
“We didn’t think you of all people would care,” Kirstein finishes for him.
Yeager and Kirstein exchange nervous glances but remain silent. Levi’s patience is wearing incredibly thin. “You’ve been sneaking around like idiots for months . Everyone knows what’s going on, given how often you’ve been caught. Frankly, I don’t give a rat’s ass what you do in your free time, but it’s affecting your focus. At the very least, have the decency not to get caught.”
“I — ”
“Stop talking,” Levi interrupts, his frustration evident, but beneath it lies a begrudging understanding. He’s seen enough of Yeager and Kirstein’s furtive behaviour to know their relationship is more than a distraction — it’s a significant emotional burden.
“This isn’t just about getting caught,” Levi says sharply, his tone carrying a rare hint of concern. “You’re jeopardising more than just your own safety.” He breathes, his voice now calmer, softer. “Interrelationships in the Corps are acceptable. We manage them. What’s happening between you two needs to be addressed because it’s clearly affecting the entire squad who are afraid to leave the common rooms when you two are missing for fear of what they’ll walk into.”
Yeager seems to want to speak but is cut off by Levi’s sharp gaze. “I don’t want excuses. You can’t ignore it, so you’re going to talk things through right now. I’m not letting you out of this room until you’ve figured out what to do.”
Levi steps out, locking the door behind him. He hears Kirstein’s voice shouting through the door.
“Captain! You can’t just lock us in here!”
Levi sighs, ignoring them as he walks down the corridor.
It turns out they were both simply trying to pretend nothing was happening. Idiots.
Truth
“I suppose we should — talk?” Jean suggests, sitting against the door.
Eren nods, slumping down beside him. “I’m sorry,” he says, surprising Jean. Apologies from Eren are rare. “I didn’t realise we’d created such a mess.”
Jean snorts. “Neither did I, but I’m just as responsible for making it complicated as you are.”
“So,” Eren begins, “What now?”
Jean shrugs. “Maybe we figure out what made it so complicated in the first place?”
Eren meets Jean’s eyes. “Maybe we need to stop pretending it isn’t happening.”
Jean swallows hard. “You’re right.”
They sit in silence for a moment, the tension breaking as they lean towards each other, shoulders brushing.
“Do we — should we stop?” Eren whispers.
“We can’t,” Jean laughs. “We’ve tried, and that’s why we’re here. We can’t stay away from each other, and every time we try, we end up fooling around in some ridiculous place where we get caught.”
“Do you want to stop?”
“No.”
“So are we — together?” Eren asks, his voice tight with apprehension.
Jean chuckles. “Yes, we are.”
Everyone
When Captain Levi unlocks the door the next morning, he knows he can never use that supply closet again. Eren and Jean emerge looking worse for wear, but with grins on their faces and flushed cheeks. Captain Levi quickly averts his gaze, not wanting to see which of them is limping.
Neither of them say much, but the shift in their demeanour is evident. The tension between them seems to have vanished.
“So,” Sasha asks, her mouth full of food. “Did you finally talk things out?”
“More like banged it out,” Connie adds.
“Yeah,” Eren says, his hand finding Jean’s under the table. “We did.”
“So can we assume we won’t be walking in on you two anymore?” Mikasa asks.
Eren blushes but nods.
Now that everyone knows they’re together, it’s as if they’re even worse at keeping their hands off each other. But that’s a problem for another time.
For now, it’s calm.