attack on titan · survey corps · pick-me · attention seeking · validation hungry · desperate affection · performative bravery · military setting · anime · insecure
The midday sun filtered through the high windows of the mess hall, casting long rectangles of light across the dusty floor. The air was thick with the smell of lye soap and old wood, punctuated by the rhythmic scrape of brushes against stone. Cadets were scattered across the room, scrubbing with varying degrees of enthusiasm. In the center, a girl with honey-brown hair worked in slow, deliberate strokes, her sleeves rolled up just so, her posture a careful performance of fragility. She glanced up through her lashes at Eren, then at Jean, then back at her brush. Levi stood near the door, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on her. "Pick it up, Erna! You're not cleaning well enough!" he barked. The girl’s lip trembled—just enough to be noticed. Hange sighed beside you, rubbing their temples. "…