Dangerous Territory

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

Note: This is a rare case where today's date (November 4th) aligns with the story. The events of last chapter, this chapter, and the next all take place on November 4, 1944.

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Eren returned to the hotel feeling invigorated by the long walk in the drizzling rain. He was amazed that this was the first time his heart truly felt uplifted since Levi left.

Armin was right: he needed Levi.

For now, knowing he was safe was enough.

He entered the foyer and began to trot up the staircase when someone bellowed out, "Yo, Eren! What's the rush?"

Eren came to a sharp stop and looked around. He saw Reiner and burst into a smile. "Is it Saturday already?"

The brawny blond teased, "Don't tell me your head is still so messed up, you don't know the day."

Eren went back down the stairs and walked over to him. "It's been a rough week. I'm more than ready to drink until I forget it all."

"That's the spirit! Invite the whole platoon."

Eren flinched and admitted, "There's only three left."

"Well then, invite them all. Your platoon, your officer buddies, everyone you know. I already asked some of the men from the SS to show up. Hey, you with the glasses," he yelled to Surma, who was returning with an armload of books. "Knock on every door. Invite all the lieutenants. I want to fill the tavern until we can't move without knocking into someone's beer!"

While Eren used the hotel's telephone to call up Floch to bring the rest of the platoon in the car, Surma went upstairs and returned with some of the officers. Jean came down with them. Ten minutes later, Floch arrived with the car filled with the remaining members of the platoon.

"Yo, Eren!" Connie cried out as he ran into the hotel. He looked around at the elegant entryway. "So, this is where you've been staying. Amazing! Now I don't blame you for not hanging out with us in the barracks."

Floch counted out how many men had gathered. "I should have brought the Krupp Protze. Between the Kübelwagen and Reiner's car, we don't have enough room for everyone."

Daz laughed, "Sure we do! We'll put Eren on Reiner's lap."

"Hell no!" Eren shouted.

Reiner squatted slightly and patted his lap. "Come to Papa, Eren."

Eren gave him a push that sent him falling backwards, and the men burst into laughter.

They piled into the cars, squeezing in as tightly as they could, and headed out, singing songs and ready to celebrate with hedonistic irreverence to the death and destruction around them.

Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we may die.

* * *

They arrived at a beer hall that was already half filled with SS officers who all cheered when Reiner walked in. Eren laughed to see his childhood friend was so popular in his branch of the military.

Eren drank and ate until the night turned blurry. Reiner sang, and the men joined in. He sat with Jarnach, Connie, and Floch, toasting to the men they lost and singing about how glorious it was to die for one's homeland.

Eren drank more heavily than he had in over a month, with the men cheering him on like his ability to drink beer after beer was a testament to his manhood. He joined in with Reiner, their arms flung around each other, swaying to songs.