Overprotective: AOT/KNB Crossover [Reader x Eren]

Chapter 42: I Can't Handle the Truth

~from Eren's POV~
I ran all the way to the hospital and arrived out of breath before asking a nurse if I could see (y/n). She went into the room for a second and came back out with a nod, and I went in.
On the short run over, I had run through horrific images in my mind: (y/n) hooked up to a machine that would force-feed her oxygen, tubes coming out of her throat and stomach...
But (y/n) was sleeping peacefully, the only equipment being the heart monitor and a small IV drip that led into the vein in her arm.
I sighed in relief, not truly realizing how worried I was until that moment, and Himuro turned to look at me.
"Eren..." he said softly before looking down at his hand, which was entwined with (y/n)'s. After a long moment, he carefully arranged her arm so it was resting over her blanket before gently disentangling his fingers from hers, standing up, and walking towards me.
Without another word, he took me by the shoulder and dragged me back out into the hallway.
"Is (y/n) okay?" I immediately asked him the second we set foot in the hallway.
He hesitated before shrugging. "Yeah. The doctors said that she must have just fainted from stress, or not sleep enough, or not eating enough..." He trailed off.
"So you don't believe that?" I asked, and he turned towards me, his eyes guarded.
"They could be right," he conceded after a moment before looking at the ground. "It just scared me, that's all," he added, but for some reason, I didn't quite believe that was all of it. But what reason would Himuro have to lie to me?
Is this the only reason my mom was crying? It's hard to believe.
But maybe this is too personal to share. I have to respect that.
"Himuro-senpai, is it all right if I have a minute with (y/n)-chan?" I asked, and he paused before nodding.
"I should probably get something to eat, anyway," he said, heading towards the cafeteria, dark circles underscoring his eyes.
I nodded towards his receding figure and went back in, taking the seat Himuro had previously occupied.
"(Y/n)? Can you hear me?" I asked, taking her hand as Himuro had done. Immediately, I blushed and almost dropped her hand, but I didn't want to let go. "(Y/n), you really gave us a scare. I thought you were dying," I said nervously, not quite sure what to say now that we were alone. After a moment, I leaned forward a bit. "(Y/n)," I whispered. "(Y/n), I hope you get better really soon, because I think I like-"
"That was a minute," came a voice from behind me, and I shot back towards the chair, my face a deep red.
Did Himuro hear me? I hope not! "Has it?" I replied, trying to be casual. Then I realized that I was still holding (y/n)'s hand, and I quickly set it back down and stood up, bowing slightly to Himuro. "I hope (y/n) gets better."
He just nodded and resumed his place beside (y/n), and with a sigh of relief, I walked out.

~from Himuro's POV~
"Because I think I like-"
"That was a minute," I said, interrupting Eren and walking closer, pretending not to have heard him or seen him holding (y/n)'s hand. Only when he left did I allow myself to consider what I'd seen and heard.
So Eren likes (y/n)...I mused silently, looking down at the girl in question and carefully tucking her hair behind her ears and out of her face so I could see her eyes.
I thought I'd be angry when I found out that someone liked (y/n), but mainly what I felt was pure relief.
At least it's him, was my thought. At least he seems like a good guy. No, he doesn't deserve (y/n), but I don't think I can find anyone deserving of (y/n). But at least...at least he treats her with respect, at least he is a good friend to her...
...at least he doesn't hit her.

~from Levi's POV~
I went to school the next day, and everything seemed normal at first. I hadn't seen (y/n) since the basketball game, or at least, I hadn't talked to her. I'd seen her come to school the past few days and scurry away quickly, tring to avoid someone.
Me.
I decided to give her space - it was my fault, after all - but then I heard it.
"Repeat that last thing," I growled at a nearby girl who looked to be in (y/n)'s grade.
She looked startled that I was talking to her (or maybe because I had been eavesdropping; who can tell?), and shyly said, "It's nothing really, just a rumor, but I heard that a girl had to be taken away in an ambulance yesterday."
"Who?" I asked, gripping her shoulder tighter, and she winced in pain. "Who was it?"
Her eyes widened in fear. "It's j-just a rumor!" she stuttered.
"Give me a name!" I yelled, startling nearby students, and the girl jumped slightly.
"(Y/n)-san!" she blurted out, and as I let go of her shoulder, she sagged in relief.
Without looking back or apologizing, I stalked over to Eren, stepping directly into his path.
Upon seeing me, his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed, but he didn't say anything.
"(Y/n). Is she okay?" I asked him, and his eyes widened in surprised before he forced himself to blink calmly.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied, his eyes fierce.
I grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him a little. "(Y/n). Tell me she's okay."
He glared at me. "What do you care?"
Because she's my sister! I wanted to yell at him, but I knew that he wouldn't believe me, not when I'd hurt (y/n) like that. "Just tell me," I demanded, and he hesitated.
"She's going to be fine," he eventually said, and I paled slightly.
Going to be? What's wrong with her? What happened?
What if...what if it has to do with her AIDS?
Oh, please, God, don't make this be it...Not after I've been such a bastard and haven't even taken the chance to apologize...please, God, don't take her away...
Without saying anything, I let go of his shoulders and walked quickly away from the school grounds.