The not so secret secret

Chapter 1 - Sunday (the day before the storm)

The sound of people talking loudly echoed around the lunch hall of HQ. Some people were eating while others were just there for the gossip. Some were talking and eating at the same time - namely Sasha. But there were two people there only because they had to be. Lance Corporal Rivaille and Eren Jaeger. Both were neither talking nor eating - although Rivaille was drinking his daily coffee - and the atmosphere around them dulled considerably, even though they were sitting at least half a table away from each other.

Eren couldn't help but gaze over at the Corporal. There was something about him that just sparked a reaction inside of Eren and he didn't truly know what it was, but it was definitely something. Maybe he was coming down with the flu?

Rivaille could feel eyes watching his every movement. He looked up to see Eren's eyes on him. Neither of them dared drop their gaze, almost like a stare contest. Eren finally gave up, only because his eyes were starting to water and he didn't want it to look like he was crying.

Everyone did not want to break the silence between the two. Everyone except Jean, and judging by his shit-eating grin he had something good up his sleeve.

"Hey, Eren! Why so grumpy? You need to get laid or something. Find yourself a nice guy and get it on in an alley at the very least. I'm sure there are a few nice men here that'd gladly help you out."

Eren choked on thin air. 'What's he trying to say?' Eren thought. The table broke into hushed giggles and smirks, whereas Mikasa was giving Jean a death glare - he'd probably get beaten up later when all the superiors were in bed.

Everyone was now looking at Eren bemusedly. Faint speckles of a blush were beginning to appear around his face.

"I'm sorry, I must have misheard you. Are you implying that I'm gay?!" Eren's eyes changed from lethargic day-dreaming to murderous anger.

"Oh, I'm not implying it. I'm stating it outright. Come on, we all see the way you look at the Corporal. It's obvious that you want him badly."

Rivaille spat his coffee across the table - luckily nobody was sitting across from him. All eyes turned to him in both humor and oh-shit-what's-he-going-to-do-now-excitement. He looked to the boy and smirked.

"Is this true, Eren? Of course, I did notice you were constantly staring at me but I never realised it was because you wanted my dick up your ass."

Everyone's faces were a mix of shock and amusement - a few people covered there mouth to stifle a gasp - as they watched Eren try to struggle for words. Eren could feel the redness spread from his cheeks down to his neck. Words that he was trying to say never made it past his throat, like it was swollen.

"I-I'm not gay!" that was all he could get out.

All eyes returned to Rivaille, like they were watching a very interesting chess game, or a very slow tennis match.

"Really? That's a pity..." He stood up from his chair and strode his way across to where Eren was sitting. Eren tensed his whole body when he felt the Corporal move closer to him.

Rivaille bent his head down to look Eren directly in the eyes, lifting his hand to just under his chin.

"... Because I am." He finished monotonously.

Eren couldn't breathe. His throat had completely closed up. 'Damn him! What is he trying to accomplish by tormenting me,' he thought, 'no wait why is this tormenting me? I'm not gay so I have nothing to fear'

"Well I'm sorry sir, but I don't swing that way. Maybe you should ask Jean if you're that desperate to put your dick somewhere, Corporal."

Eren was expecting a slap for that comment. He didn't usually use such profane language when talking to superiors but all this talk had gotten him riled up. The gasps of everyone filled the room like a harmonious symphony. Jean looked like he was going to be physically sick. But still no slap, no kick, no punch.

Eren slowly looked up into the eyes of the Corporal. They glimmered with what looked like evil determination. The smirk plastered on his face resembled that of a deranged serial killer. Eren was scared, not only for his life but his sanity.

"I promise you this, Eren. By the end of this week I'll have you admit to yourself and everyone else that you are gay. Call it a bet. If I win... You have to clean the whole of HQ by yourself." Rivaille exclaimed.

"And what if I win?"

"hmn... I will let you boss me around for one day. How about it?"

Rivaille held out his hand to Eren. He hesitantly shook it with little force.

Leaving Eren hanging on the edge of his chair, the Corporal retook his seat and began conversing with Hanji.

"Well, I'm glad I broke the silence! At least Eren is going to get laid now." Jean laughed and received a slap on the head from Mikasa.