Another month passed, and the graduation of the 104th Southern Training Corps would soon no longer be two years away but far less. The cadets had developed muscle, and their skills were now honed. The friendly sparring matches between you and Reiner were now a bit more serious; sparring matches with Mikasa resulted in draws rather than outright defeats. Annie had seemingly forgiven you for whatever you had done before, and just like a cat, she approached only when she wanted, and then left when she wanted, which was often when there was no one else around.
Krista's confidence continued to blossom. She began to pat your head whenever you did well in a spar. Her touches were light, almost nonexistent, but they were there. Her small hands leave a trail of warmth on your skin. You seemed to notice her trying to get the two of you alone more often, but her attempts were foiled either by an instructor calling for a formation or Ymir, who had developed a habit of physically dragging Krista away from you. Krista would always shoot you an apologetic look, but her blue eyes held a spark of mischief that told you she was enjoying the game.
Adelaide... had changed. She no longer brought you bread. She still baked, but the goods she now offered to the rest of the group were shared without her usual shy smile. Her aptitudes in the ODM gear were improving at a good rate; she was more disciplined and more direct with the things she had to say. She spent more time with Sasha, Connie, Marco, Hanna, and Mina. The group of girls that had once been obsessed with you had now calmed down. The boys appreciated that, and the new dynamic was something that you had noticed as well. Her flour-dusted hands still brought comfort to people, but it was a different kind of comfort now—one that was less about seeking praise and more about quiet, self-assured competence. She still looked at you sometimes, but her gaze no longer held the same desperate hope for your attention.
Jean...Jean had a bit of a change in his attitudes as well; his attempts to woo your sister, Emelina, were still met with a playful smile and an almost condescending voice. His attitudes towards the rest did not change; pride and self-assuredness were a part of him, after all. However, what had changed was how he spoke to you. He didn't hold the same level of resentment. Instead, he was more polite, even if it was a noticeable struggle for him to maintain that politeness.
But he was confusingly aware of your needs, asking if you had enough food and if you needed help with your duties...Which was not normal for him, not at all. Eren and Reiner began to joke that he was trying to be your friend to win over your sister. 'That's what you get for having a good looking sister, I guess,' Eren had said, and you could not help but shake your head at that. Still, Jean's behavior was not that bad. At least, for now.
Then came the day of the patrolling exercise, something meant to be simple. Travel a long distance from Point A to Point B, record the journey, and recover some supplies. The whole cadet class was divided into three groups. It was not a competition but more of a team-building exercise and a test of the skills you had accrued until now, in an outdoor setting. Each group had a leader assigned, chosen by the instructors based on overall performance and leadership potential.
The leader of your group was Marco. His group consisted of you, Sasha, Connie, Krista, Ymir, Annie, Eren, Armin, and Jean. It was quite the group, you had to admit, and a bit of a recipe for disaster. You could trust Armin and Marco to hold some semblance of order, but Eren's and Jean's rivalry always threatened to spiral out of control, and Ymir's attitude, well, it was Ymir. And as if to add insult to injury, Krista and Annie had a look on their faces that was not quite pleasant.
You had made good ground already, riding horses towards your destination. The sun shone bright, and the approach to the forest was just an hour or two away.
"Okay, team," Marco said, his voice cheerful but firm. He held up a map, his finger tracing the route. "Our objective is the hilltop fortress ruins, just past the Western Forest. We're to retrieve the supply crate hidden there and return to base in a day. Simple enough, right?"
"The Western Forest..." Sasha's face excitedly lit up. "We could hunt a wild deer there!" Her stomach growled in agreement, a sound loud enough for several others to look at her.
Connie opened his mouth in awe. "Wow, seriously?" He looked at Marco, "Do you think we have a permit for that?"
"It says here we have to camp at the objective," Jean added, folding his arms. "Let's not waste our time chasing after a deer, please. My hair is going to be all frizzy after this trip. Let's just get the objective and go back." He then added, "Let's not drag this out longer than it has to be."
"What you need to go back running to Emelina for you to braid your hair, Horse-Face?" Eren sneered, not even trying to hide the hostility.
"Say that again, Jaeger," Jean shot back, stepping forward.
"Please, guys," Marco interjected softly, though not loud or firm enough to stop the two boys from bumping into each other. "We must get along; this is a team exercise, after all."
"Right, right," Jean said, taking a step back, but the look in his eye told a different story.
You watched the scene with a practiced detachment. This routine had played itself out many times, but it still warmed your heart to see them all still motivated to go on. But then you were distracted by the sound of a horse's hoofs getting near you from behind. You didn't even have to turn your head to see who it was. All you needed to hear was her voice.
"C-o-n-r-a-d," Krista's singsong voice called out to you. She brought her horse closer to yours. "Are you ignoring me on purpose?" She asked with a small pout on her lips.
You finally turned your head to look at her, meeting her gaze. Her smile made her seem extremely innocent, and yet you couldn't shake off that act of confidence when she showed her belly and the underside of her small breasts to you.
"I am just keeping watch, checking the perimeter," you said, your tone neutral. "There is an eagle perched on that treetop over there. See?" You pointed your finger in a general direction.
Krista followed your finger, her eyes squinting. "Huh? You can see that far?" She let out a small laugh. "Of course, you can. I bet you could even see if it is a boy or a girl." Her laughter subsided as she looked at you again, her blue eyes sparkling. "But you are avoiding my question. Are you ignoring me? If so, you should know that you are being mean."
Immediately, you felt something coming from behind you. The fast gallop of a horse that broke through the space that you and Krista had created. Annie appeared, her horse stopping right beside yours, separating you from Krista.
"Conrad, why are you breaking the formation?" She asked, her voice as flat as the plains around you. She didn't even bother to look at Krista, whose smile was briefly replaced with a glare of annoyance.
'I should ask that yourself,' Krista wanted to say, but she didn't. She bit her lower lip, her hands tightening on the reins of her horse.
"Marco said we should stick to our respective positions." Annie continued, her gaze now fixed on you, ignoring the glares that were being exchanged between the girls. She didn't raise her voice, yet her tone made you feel as if you were a child being scolded.
Eren and Jean also stopped their bickering at the arrival of Annie and Krista; it's as if they could sense the atmosphere tensing. Then Eren, who had no good timing for his words, spoke. "Lover's quarrel? Huh?" He spoke loudly.
Immediately, everyone's gaze went to him. Sasha dropped her jaw, and Connie almost choked on his own saliva. It was as if he had said the worst possible thing in the worst possible moment. He was, to put it simply, an idiot.
"What did you say?" Annie and Krista said in unison. Their voices were like two daggers being drawn from their sheaths at the same time. Their eyes locked onto Eren, their expressions making it clear that he had made a grave mistake.
Jean, on the other hand, just placed a hand on his own face and shook his head. 'Why does he have to make things worse?' He thought. The two girls were now ready to ride towards him, but before that, they galloped forward to the vanguard of the formation to avoid causing any more trouble. Their horses' hooves kicked up dust.
"Eren, please stay quiet," Armin said in a low whisper. A drop of sweat was trickling down his forehead. Eren immediately calmed down after seeing the reaction of the girls.
It was you who broke the silence by talking to Marco. "Marco, what are the orders?" Your words cut through the tension and brought everyone back to the task at hand.
"We should take the right path and prepare for settling down in the forest. We will set up camp and have a small perimeter," He explained with a smile.
You nodded, and you turned your horse to the right and started to lead the vanguard. The group followed, the tension slowly dissipating.
The sun began to set as the group entered the forest. The tall trees cast long shadows, and the air grew cooler. You dismounted your horse and tied it to a tree. The rest of the group followed suit, their movements a bit clumsy from the long ride.
"Okay, let's set up camp," Marco announced, clapping his hands. "Sasha, Connie, you're on firewood duty. Eren, Jean, you'll set up the tents. Armin, I want you to check the map and confirm our location. Krista, Ymir, you'll help with the food. Conrad and..." Marco stopped for a moment, and only Annie was left for guard duty, which meant that Krista would likely complain, and soon the whole plan would come crashing down. So, Marco made a different choice.
"...Ah, sorry, I made a mistake haha..." He scratched the back of his head, "Conrad and Eren, you will be the night guards for the watch."
A sigh of relief escaped your lips as you heard the names. Though you were certainly happy to see both of them, you could not say the same about the rivalry that might get you into trouble. Eren let out a sigh, too, but a grin quickly formed on his face.
"Alright, I can do that!" He said with the same determined look on his face.
Jean, on the other hand, let out an audible huff. "At least, I don't have to deal with Jaeger," he mumbled under his breath, his gaze falling on Mikasa, who was in the other group. "Hey, Annie. I guess you are helping me with the tents," he said, already trying to make sure to finish fast so as to go to sleep and rest.
Annie gave him a look that said, 'Don't talk to me,' but walked closer to the pile of tents. A sigh escaped her. Her body then moved with an efficiency that matched her fighting style. She began to set up the tents with Jean, who tried to make small talk. He failed, and Annie remained as quiet as ever.
Meanwhile, Krista and Ymir were preparing the food. Krista hummed a cheerful tune, her hands moving with practiced ease. Ymir, on the other hand, just watched her with a small, almost imperceptible smile.
You headed for the ODM equipment. If you were going to patrol, then it was best to cover more ground while being able to handle any situation that might arise.
"You really need the gear for a simple patrol?" Eren asked, walking up to you. "We're just keeping watch, aren't we?"
"We can cover more ground that way, make sure we are always ready, isn't that what the instructors told us?" You replied. "You never know what might be out there. Besides, it's better to practice than to just stand there and do nothing." You explained.
Eren looked at you for a moment, and a grin spread across his face. "You're right!" Nodding, he went to get his own gear.
The two of you made sure your gear was in top condition. The metallic clicks of the straps buckling and the whirr of the gas canisters being checked were the only sounds. Then you sat ready to go, but before that.
"Be careful!" Krista's worried voice called out. "Don't wander too far, and come back if you see anything, you hear?"
She stood a short distance away, her hands clasped together in front of her, her brow furrowed. Ymir stood beside her, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.
Eren gave her a thumbs-up. "Don't worry about a thing! We'll be fine!"
Your gaze lingered on Krista for a moment longer. You saw the genuine concern in her eyes, but you also saw something else—the desire to keep you safe. You offered her a small nod, a silent promise that you would be careful. This seemed to be enough for her, and she gave you a small, relieved smile in return.
The camp faded into the background as the two of you launched yourselves into the forest. After a while, you stopped to take a break on a high branch, the leaves rustling around you.
"I wonder what we would do if we found a Titan out here," Eren said, scanning the dark forest. "I mean, we could take it down, right? The two of us?"
You thought about it for a moment. While there were no Titans inside of Wall Rose, the memories of Shiganshina returned to you. For a moment, you froze...' Why?' You thought, for just a moment, and even after all the training, you felt fear. Had your mind been so preoccupied about other things that you had forgotten the reason you came here? You looked at Eren's face. He seemed ready, not confused or scared like you. He was certain.
"Conrad?" Eren called out to you. You had been silent for too long.
"...You are right," you finally said, looking away from him and at the forest beyond. "We can take it down." Comforted by the certainty in his face. He gave you a bright smile, showing his teeth.
"I knew it! We will make a great team! You and me, Mikasa and..." He paused, trying to think of who else. "...Annie, Reiner, Marco, and Bertholdt... " He stopped again, a somewhat nostalgic smile coming to his face, before it turned into one of pure anger and determination. "We are going kill all the titans and take back our hometown," He declared.
His words were a vow. A vow that was shared by many, but few had the conviction to carry it out. He was one of them.
"Eren," You called out.
"What is it?"
"Don't die," You said simply.
Eren looked at you, surprised by your words. Then he nodded, a serious expression on his face. "You too, Conrad. Don't you dare die on me, when we are out there!" The smile, from before, returned to his face.
"Say," he started, "Who do you like? From the girls, I mean. I've heard all kinds of things about you, Reiner too, even I get a little bit of attention, but not as much as you! I bet it's Mikasa, right?" He said, completely confident in his answer, as if it couldn't be more wrong. Sure, Mikasa was your friend and a sparring partner, but to like her in that way? Well...Maybe,
Your silence made Eren's confidence waver.
"I mean, I would say Krista or Annie, but... They don't seem to be your type?" He tried to guess, but the words didn't come out with the same conviction.
"Do they not?" You ask him as you adjust the position of your grappling hook.
"Yeah, I mean....I know we have regulations...about no affection amongst comrades, and all that..." He said, the words 'love is prohibited' came to mind. "But... you aren't the kind of person to follow that rule, are you?" He asked.
The two of you shared a laugh.
"I bet if you really wanted them, you would be more direct about it!" Eren declared, a grin plastered on his face. The two of you had known each other for a while now, and his directness was something you had come to appreciate.
His words made you think for a moment, had you been slacking on that front? Your manly duties, that is. But then you recalled your encounters with Adelaide, Krista, and Annie. Each one was a different experience, a different interaction, a different feeling. Perhaps you ought to take a little bit more control. They were ladies, after all. But before you could respond, a branch snapped far to the west of your position. The sound was loud, unnatural in the quiet of the forest.
The laughter died instantly.
"What was that?" Eren exclaimed.
You and Eren looked at each other, the same thought passing between you. Without a word, you both launched yourselves from the branch, the whir of your ODM gear filling the air as you zipped towards the source of the sound.
The two of you landed on a thick branch, your eyes scanning the forest floor below, and noticed a burnt-down fireplace. You began to investigate and then found footsteps all headed towards your camp. There were at least a dozen of them. Could they have perhaps been the other group? But why would they move at night?
"Those prints are not from our boots." Eren said, a hint of worry on his face.
"Bandits?" You guessed as a possibility. They were a common threat, even within the walls.
"Let's go back and report to Marco." You added.
Immediately, you turned back towards the camp with Eren following close behind, but then you thought of the possible danger. If these were indeed bandits, the last thing you would want is to put the rest in danger. The only way to be sure is be fast enough and to relay the message. You and Eren had an unspoken agreement and flew through the forest as fast as your ODM gear could take you.
-x-X-x-
You arrived right on time.
A group of men, all armed with muskets and swords, began to inch closer towards the camp. Meanwhile, the camp remained friendly and calm. You had the time to warn them, but then you saw Krista sitting by the horses. She was the farthest away from the center of camp.
And getting closer was one of the masked men. Your instincts immediately kicked in, and the grip on your controllers tightened. Time seemed to stop for a moment as you saw her face, that calm and innocent expression. 'Not her, I can't let them near her.' You thought, the rational part of you spoke about how difficult it would be to take on the musket-wielding bandits while she was there, the other part didn't give a damn about the difficulty and just wanted to protect her.
You counted the bandits, twelve in total...There was complete danger, and there was no way of knowing what their intention towards your group was. Your mind had no room to think; you just acted. In that moment, mind and body were one.
-x-X-x-
You rush towards the masked man without a second thought, releasing your hooks to get towards him. He raised his musket, the barrel glinting in the firelight. Before he could aim properly, you were already upon him. Your fist connected with the side of his head, sending him stumbling back against the ground. The strength of your punch was compounded by the speed of your descent. You had knocked him out cold.
"Krista! Run to the others!" You shouted, not taking your eyes off the other bandits.
She immediately stood up, a brief moment of fear and surprise replaced by the obedience of a trained soldier. She ran.
The rest of the camp finally noticed the commotion. The cadets scrambled for their weapons, the peace of the camp shattered.
Jean was the quickest to notice, his face a mask of shock and then anger. "Bandits! Form up!" he yelled, rushing to grab his own equipment.
But then the masked men wavered for a moment. "Dammit! What do we do?" one of them asked the other.
It only took another moment for the other bandit to regain his composure and aim the musket at you. You saw the flash before the bang. The musket ball flew past your ear, the whizzing sound almost leaving your ear deaf.
"Conrad!" Krista screamed from a distance, but she continued to run to safety.
The chaos had begun. Some of the cadets were frozen, a deer in the headlights. But they had the cover of the trees; it would take the cadets a bit to put on their equipment. The safest option would be to head back to them and regroup, but then again, Eren was still coming, and he was probably going to attack head-on, but the bandits were starting to aim towards you. You had only a split second to make a choice.
-x-X-x-
Marco froze for only a second, his mind racing. He assessed the situation—the element of surprise that the enemy had was lost. He tried to come up with reasons for this attack, trying to justify a reason not to fight or to convince them to stand down. But then, a musket ball impacted against one of the tree trunks in front of him. The splinters of wood flew past his face. 'Why are they attacking us? We're just trainees!' His mind screamed.
But then there was Conrad, standing alone, confronting the enemy, giving them the precious seconds they needed to regroup. He had just dodged fire from one of the muskets. He was strong, yes, but he was just one man...He needed to help.
Annie was already on it, putting on her ODM equipment with a sense of urgency that only a few could match.
"Let me!" Krista said, trying to move away from cover to the direction of the fight. But Ymir pulled her back.
"Don't be stupid, Krista!" Ymir said, her grip tight on Krista's arm. "You'll just get yourself killed!"
"I have to do something! He is—" Another loud bang erupted as the bandits fired another shot, which brought home the urgency of the situation. Her eyes roared with intensity at that shot. What was she doing here, and not helping? She could see the others' faces, all worried, scared, even Armin. His eyes were wide and trying to come up with something...But Conrad was out there, alone.
Then she saw Annie almost ready to go, making the final adjustments. She looked at Ymir with determined eyes. "Ymir!" Her calm yet powerful voice cut through the tension. "Please," This plea was not a request but just a mere statement. She broke free from Ymir's grasp and rushed to the equipment.
Ymir, for once, was speechless. She wanted to curse, scream, but the look on Krista's face was one she had not seen before. She was not going to let her sacrifice herself.
Meanwhile, you were up in the trees, managing to dodge shot after shot. As they stopped to reload, you went down once more, the leg kicking that Annie had been practising with you coming in, crutch to knock them out before they could draw a second shot.
Three down. Ten to go. That's what you thought.
"Why is he so fast?" One of the bandits said as he reloaded. His hands shook.
"Focus! He's just a kid! Get your act together and shoot him!" Another of them ordered.
'He is right, I am still a kid,' You thought to yourself as you rushed to cover. You looked back at the camp to see the rest of them putting their equipment on with a speed that would make even Shadis proud. You saw as Eren arrived, the look on his face was one of pure rage.
"AAAAAH!" The battle cry echoed across the forest.
He landed between you and the bandits. You noticed that even Eren had the foresight to use the environment. But he was going for a full-out assault, and you had to make sure to cover him. He dropped on top of one of the bandits, using the full force of his body to bring him down.
Then a whirring sound came from your side, you turned, and you saw Annie. Her movements were efficient and deadly. Her leg struck one of the bandits' heads as she descended, the impact sending the man sprawling on the ground.
Six down. Six to go.
Her arrival was a turning point. The bandits, who had been so confident a few moments ago, now looked scared. The rest of the cadets now moved to fight. Jean, Armin, Annie, Krista and even Marco now joined the fray. You all made use of your speed and the night to deal with the bandits.
"Take this!" Jean said, using the pommel of a sword to knock another bandit's lights out. The boy had a pretty decent handle on fighting. All the training lessons were starting to bear fruit.
Sasha and Connie were using the trees to their advantage. Sasha used the rope to trip one of the bandits. Connie, on the other hand, just threw a rock at second to last bandit.
"Yay!" Sasha cheered.
And just like that, it was over. Marco took a moment to relax, catching his breath as he looked at the knocked-out bandits. Eren was still trying to beat the one he had taken down, but you stopped him before he could land another punch. "Everyone! Tie them up!"
"Eren! Stop!" You shouted.
"Eh?" Eren looked at you, confused.
"He is out cold. Don't waste your energy." You told him. A bit of guilt seemed to wash over Eren as he looked at the unconscious bandit.
Then you turned to look at the others. Everyone was safe. But then...
BANG
You heard a scream behind you. Then, only pain had a strong impact that made you instinctively wince. You felt no pain and instead, focused on the danger. The man who had managed to get up, you immediately recognised him. He was one of the first you took down; your knuckles still remembered it. And he was holding a smoking musket.
The man stopped for a second, wondering how he could have missed at this distance, but you made sure not to give him a second to think, launching yourself and with your right leg already in position to knock him out for good.
As you landed on the ground, your eyes scanned the area to see where the bullet had gone, your mind already calculating the possible injuries. Thankfully, nobody was wounded, but then you felt something wet and warm against the side of your waist. The adrenaline that coursed through your veins was the only reason you had not noticed before. Now, you felt the pain, a hot, searing pain that radiated from your side. You placed your hand over the wound, and your fingers came away wet with your own blood.
"Holy shit," Jean said, noticing the blood on your uniform. "Conrad, are you alright?" The panic in his own voice made the reality of the situation clearer for everyone else.
The adrenaline started to wear off, and the blood began to turn your hand sticky. Marco saw this and, not wishing to see it repeated, he told everyone. "Everyone! Finish tying them up!" Then he turned to you, "We need to get you patched up, now!"
A chorus of 'Right!' 'On it!' 'I'll get the rope!' went through the group as they scrambled to follow Marco's order.
Krista, who had been standing by the sidelines, rushed to your side. "Are you okay?" she asked, her hands hovering over your wound, afraid to touch it.
You gave her a small nod. You weren't losing strength or so you thought, but you were not entirely sure. The forest's cool breeze made the pain a little bit more manageable. For now. 'Just what is the real extent of my injury?'
"Let me help you with that," Krista said, her hands now steady as she tried to rip the fabric around your wound.
But before she could do anything, another pair of hands brushed hers away. "I've got it," Annie said, her face set in a grim line. She took off your jacket and unbuttoned your shirt, revealing the grazing wound on your side. It was not deep, but it was bleeding a lot.
The sight made Krista freeze, her blue eyes wide.
Annie, however, was as calm as ever. She took out a roll of bandages from her pack. "Hold still," she said, immediately using the bandages and tightening them up to stop the bleeding. Her hands were quick and sure, her touch impersonal. Efficient. Yet, as she tightened the bandage, her fingers brushed against your skin, and for a fleeting moment, you thought you felt them tremble.
"It's not a deep wound. Just a graze." She stated, though, that her voice was not as calm as it normally was. Instead, there was a slight shake in it. The same one as that night in the lake.
Krista let it happen, her eyes scanning Annie's expression, and she saw what she wanted. There was a clear concern on her face, a concern that had made Krista's blood boil before. A clear sign of weakness...'No wonder...' She didn't finish the thought as Annie finished the makeshift bandage. "This will have to do until the bleeding stops,"
You gave her a small nod. The bandage was tight, but it was perfect to stop the bleeding. "Thanks," you said.
Annie's face was that of relief and regret. Her eyes looked away from yours and the rest of the cadets to a place where she could hide her feelings of worry. She stopped to look at Krista, then back to you. "You should have been more careful. Do you have a death wish?"
Her question, laced with a hint of her usual sarcasm, hung in the air. The tone was not as harsh as she would have liked; it was more of a way to hide her worry. You looked at her for a moment and then smiled.
"Only if it's for a good cause," you answered. And the statement, the way you said it, was something she could not respond to. The sincerity in your words was not what she had expected. The statement made her pause for a second.
"I..." She started to say something, but then she stopped, her eyes darting away from yours again.
Jean, who had been looking at the whole thing from a distance, let out a sigh. He kicked one of the bound bandits, who let out a grunt. "What do we do with them now?" He asked, trying to change the subject and get a plan back in motion. The fight was over, but the consequences were not.
"Marco, you're the leader. What's the plan?" Jean added.
Marco, who had been checking on the other cadets to ensure they were okay, walked over to the tied-up bandits. He looked at them, his brow furrowed. "Let's keep them close and interrogate them."
"Conrad, you rest." He then turned to you. "You did well...You are the only one among us injured..." Marco praised you. He then went back to the matter at hand.
Annie, on the other hand, had a blank expression. The sight of your blood made her stomach churn. She didn't want to feel this. Not now, not ever. Her father's training had been brutal. He had taught her to fight, to kill, to survive. He had taught her to suppress any weakness, any vulnerability. But looking at you, at the blood soaking through the makeshift bandage, she felt a pang of something she had not felt in a long while. The risk of loss, and she could not face that right now.
"I will go patrol with Eren, make sure there are no more of them," Annie said, her voice flat. She didn't wait for a reply. She just walked away, her steps as steady as ever. Before flying away using the ODM gear, she turned and looked at Krista. A look that held a warning, but also a hint of...respect?
The look was not lost on Krista. She understood. "Let's go, Conrad," She said, trying to get you to walk with her back to the camp. "You must be tired."
"No," You told her. "I will wait for them to finish tying the bandits up." You were not going to let a simple graze stop you from doing your part.
Krista seemed to want to protest, but the look in your eyes told her it was pointless. So she just nodded and stood by your side.
The rest of the cadets finished tying up the bandits, their movements a bit clumsy but determined. The adrenaline from the fight was still running high. Time to find out who these people were and why they had attacked them.
-x-X-x-
Soon, they held the one with the biggest gut and the best clothes. Marco then began his interrogation. "Who are you? Why did you attack us?" He asked, trying to sound as authoritative as possible.
The man just spat on the ground. "Hahaha, you little soldier brat..."
Marco's face hardened. He was not used to this kind of treatment. "Tell me who sent you!"
The man just laughed. "Hunger sent me...All of us, all that equipment that you useless soldiers carry is worth a fortune..."
Jean, who had been listening to the whole thing, stepped forward. "So you just came here to steal, is that it?" He asked, a bit of anger in his voice.
"What if we did?" The man said with a defiant look in his eyes. "It's not like you will do anything better with it, you will just die...The money will feed our families."
The statement made everyone silent. Everyone but Eren, who was fuming with anger. "You! You tried to kill us for money! You are no better than the Titans!" He said, grabbing the man by the collar of his shirt.
"Eren, stop!" You said, placing a hand on his shoulder. The pain from your wound flared for a second. "He is not worth it."
Eren let go of the man, but the look on his face was murderous. The man just laughed again, a dry, raspy sound. "See? He is a kid."
"We're not here to kill you," Marco said, trying to regain control of the situation. "But you will answer for your crimes. We'll take you back to the base."
The man resigned himself to his fate. He hung his head, the defiance gone from his eyes. He was just a man now, a man who had failed. He looked at the forest, a longing in his gaze. Then he turned to look at Conrad. "Who would have thought you had a monster like him among your ranks..."
The word monster... It echoed in your head. You had heard it before. A long time ago. When you were just a child. The words of your mother telling you to be careful. Not to use too much strength. But your thoughts were interrupted by Armin's worried expression.
"We know you are suffering!" Armin suddenly said, trying to reason with the bandits. "But this is not the way! We...We are all trying to help take back our land from the Titans...And...You almost killed one of us. Why aren't you the one trying to help with that instead of attacking people?" He took a deep breath. The poor boy was doing his best, but the situation was far more complicated than he could imagine.
The bandit leader, however, just smirked. "So I can die for a bunch of useless rich kids in the interior? No, thanks. I have a family to feed."
His words hit Armin hard. He looked down, his hands clenched into fists. His idealism had met the harsh reality of their world.
"Enough," Marco said, his voice firm. "Jean, you and I will hold them...I think we will have to stay up all night before heading back to base. At least, let Conrad get some rest." He then turned to look at you. His face showed concern.
"I'm fine," You said, your voice steady. The pain from your wound had subsided, replaced by a dull ache. "I can take watch."
"No," Marco said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You're injured. That's an order."
You looked at him, a bit surprised by the firmness in his voice. You opened your mouth to protest, but the look in his eyes stopped you. You had done your duty.
"Yeah, just rest, Conrad. We can handle this," Jean added, trying to sound casual but failing. There was a hint of something else in his tone. 'Gratitude' perhaps.
You finally gave in and walked towards one of the sleeping bags. Krista followed you like a little puppy, her steps quiet. You didn't need to look at her to know she was there. You could feel her presence. It was a comforting warmth, a small flame in the cold night.
She knelt beside you as you sat down. "Are you sure you're okay?" She asked, her hands already reaching out to help you with the sleeping bag. Her touch was light, but it sent a jolt through your side.
"I told you, I'm fine," You said, a bit more harshly than you intended.
Krista flinched at your tone. Her hands froze for a moment. She looked at you, her blue eyes wide. "...You should have just let the bandit aim at me instead..." She said quietly, the words masked the faintest of lies. You remember her standing next to the horses with the masked man approaching from the trees. The image of her face was still in your mind. 'Was that the real reason I went for the bandit?'
Your silence confirmed her suspicion. A small smile played on her lips. "So you do care," She said, the confidence from before returning. "You didn't want me to get hurt."
You looked at her, at the small, knowing smile. You couldn't deny it. "I don't want any of my comrades to get hurt," You said, the words a weak defense against her.
"But you did and now..." Krista's smile faltered as her gaze fell to the bandage on your side. Her small hands reached out. "Does it still hurt?"
"A little," You admitted. You flinched as her fingers brushed against the bandage.
"It's all my fault," She said, her voice thick with false guilt. "If I had been more careful..."
"Stop it," You said, your voice sharp. "This was my choice. I'd do it again."
She smiled, a true, genuine smile this time. "I guess you can't be a monster if you're so willing to get hurt for someone like me..." Her words were a mirror, reflecting the bandit's insult back at you. But with warmth instead of disdain. "But you worried me," She added, her tone shifting again.
Her fingers traced the outline of the bandage. "Does it hurt here?" She pressed lightly.
You stiffened, the dull ache sharpening. "Yes."
"And here?" Her hand moved lower, her touch sending a jolt through you that had nothing to do with pain. It was a bit lower than your wound.
"No," You said, your voice barely low and quiet.
"Then I will keep it there," Her fingers lingered. The heat from her small hand seeped through the thin fabric of your shirt, a warmth that spread across your skin. Her gaze met yours, the blue of her eyes almost glowing in the firelight. Her face was so close to yours, her breath warm on your cheek. But then her expression changed, guilt, fear, and worry mixed in to make her face crumble for a second, "You worried me..." She said, "...And not just me. You worried everyone...even Annie."
Her words were a quiet reminder. A reminder of the world that existed beyond the two of you. A world where other people's feelings and actions also mattered. The warmth of her touch suddenly felt different.
"Annie..." You repeated the name, the thought of her bandaging your wound in her harsh but efficient way. The memory of the slight tremble in her fingers was still fresh in your mind.
Krista's fingers froze. Her smile faltered, but only for a second. The mask slipped, and for a brief moment, you saw a flash of something else. "I guess...I am not the only one that you think of, right?" She then pressed her fingers a bit more, a silent question in her touch. She was probing, pushing, trying to find an answer. An answer she might not want to hear. One that made her feel worthless again...That your eyes were not only on her.
"When I saw her looking after you..." She said, the small burning flame of the lamp nearby. "I understood a little of why you..." She stopped, unable to finish her thought. Then the confidence she had seemed to muster before vanished, a small flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. The question she wanted to ask was now replaced by a statement of fact. "She is a lot like me, don't you think?" She looked at her hands, and a weak but soft laugh escaped her.
But then she looked up and to the sides, making sure everyone was busy with their own tasks. Her face then moved close to your ear, and you could feel the heat from her breath. "She, too, wants you for herself..." The whisper was an open secret, after all, who else but the one she liked could have managed to bring out the softness and warmth of the coldest girl of the training corps. You remained silent.
But then she smiled, a different smile. "And you are a liar." Her eyes glinted. "You say you don't want any of your comrades to get hurt...But if Annie and I had been in the same danger...I wonder..." The game was getting dangerous; she was no longer playing the angel. The question hung in the air, a challenge that you couldn't ignore. The thought alone made your stomach clench, your mind a whirlwind of possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. And the fact that she had the nerve to say something like that...It was like she knew she had a hold on you.
"Even if I died, I would have saved you both..." You finally said, looking straight into her blue eyes.
She flinched at that. She didn't expect you to answer so directly. But then she saw the sincerity in your eyes. She saw the lie in her own words. She saw a fool. A beautiful fool. Her mask was crumbling, the angelic facade cracking under the weight of her own feelings.
Her eyes softened. The hardness in her gaze melted away, replaced by a vulnerability that was both heartbreaking and beautiful. Her hands moved from your side to your face, her touch gentle. Her thumb brushed against your cheek.
"Would you?" she whispered. She then turned to see the other cadets, her mind too busy with the possibilities of what she was thinking. Her actions were a cry for attention, a desperate attempt to be seen, to be valued. But your words had shown her a different path. A path where she didn't have to be perfect. Even if that path had to be...'Shared' she thought. She was not used to the feeling of sharing.
'Idiot, Idiot, Idiot,' the word repeated in her mind, a rebellion against the foolishness of the three people who were now sharing the same affections. She discarded those thoughts for the moment.
She then leaned in close, her face so close to yours that you could see the small, almost invisible freckles on her nose. "So, you would die for us... For me, for her," She said, her lips parted, her blue eyes fixed on yours. "What if we want you to live?"
The question was a quiet bomb, a direct challenge to your own words, your own beliefs. It was a question that demanded an answer. The same one your sister had been asking you all this time.
You looked at her, your gaze unwavering. "I..." You were about to answer when you felt something soft and wet against your lips.
It was a kiss.
A small, hesitant kiss. A kiss that was as soft as a petal, as warm as a summer's day. Her lips moved against yours, a question, a plea. A request. A promise. There was a brief hesitation, but that hesitation was replaced by a kiss from you. In that moment, the world felt so small...Smaller than the body of the girl before you.
Krista's eyes shot open, wide with surprise. She didn't expect you to kiss her back. It was not what she had planned, it was not what she wanted...Her confidence had been broken as she blushed, but immediately, closer her eyes again. With a hand extended towards the lamp, she put it out. The camp now had only the fire as the main source of light, and it wasn't enough to illuminate the spot you were in. Only an outline of your bodies was left.
In the darkness, her lips responded with faster intensity, her hand that was near your wound reaching towards your chest. The frail and soft fingers moved to your chest muscles that had tensed at the contact with her lips.
Her small body moved closer to yours, her small chest pressed against you, and the pain of the wound at the side of your waist was completely forgotten. The only thing that mattered was her. Her scent of wildflowers and clean sweat filled your lungs, a scent that was uniquely hers. A scent that for these moments belonged to you.
Krista moaned into your mouth, a small, desperate sound. She wanted more. Too much even. Her left hand reaches for yours, her fingers interlocking with yours, a silent promise of a shared secret. The fire crackled a few meters away, its orange light a distant spectator to this forbidden act. You could hear the cadets' distant voices, their words a garbled mess of noise that did nothing to break the spell.
The kiss deepened, her tongue hesitantly exploring your lips, asking for permission. You granted it, your own tongue meeting hers, a dance of fire and ice. You were a soldier, trained to kill, to fight, to survive. But in that moment, you were just a boy, kissing a girl. A girl who had seen through your mask, who had challenged you, who had made you feel something other than the cold, hard resolve to not be a coward. Then she placed your hand against her stomach and then higher still, towards the curve of her chest. The action was a dare, a test. 'Look, it feels this small,' her actions seemed to say, a silent invitation to a world you had only ever dreamed of. Her other hand kept reaching for the muscled flesh of your chest.
Then, she broke the kiss, her breathing ragged, her face flushed in the dim light. She looked at you, her blue eyes shining with unshed tears, her expression a mixture of vulnerability, triumph, and fear.
.
--------------------->
.
"I...I'm sorry," She said, her voice as low as the night. "I shouldn't have..."
'I don't deserve it,' Her face seemed to say.
You didn't let her finish. You pulled her back into another kiss, this one more demanding, more intense. You wanted to erase her apology, to show her that she didn't need to be sorry. That you wanted this as much as she did. Your hand, still on her chest, this time you squeezed it lightly, a silent reassurance. Her body trembled at your touch, a small gasp escaping her lips. Her small and perky breasts fit perfectly into the palm of your hand. You could feel her heartbeat, a frantic rhythm against your skin. Then, her small body pushed you back, and you did not resist. Her hands moved from your chest to your shoulders, pushing you onto the sleeping bag.
She was on top of you now, her small frame a surprising weight. After your lower bodies made contact with each other...At that moment, she finally wavered in her momentum.
"I should...not be the only one that is happy," Her fingers traced the line of your jaw, her touch feather-light. "It is selfish of me...The most selfish thing I could do." Her movements were now slower, more deliberate. Each shift of her weight sent a new wave of heat through your body. '...And I can't get enough of it' She thought.
Her hips ground against yours, making a gasp leave your lips this time. That was enough to make her smile and achieve victory in that little game. Her blue eyes, dark with a desire you had never seen before, never left yours. She was in control, and you were more than willing to let her be. But then, she stepped off you, and the sudden lack of her warmth was a shock. She stood over you for a second, her silhouette framed by the distant firelight. Then she sat down next to you again, as if nothing had happened. The sudden shift left you disoriented.
"I...I think I've stolen enough...I am happy." She looked away for a second, blushing hard. Allowing her breath to slow down, trying to regain control. "I am sorry...Annie...maybe would be better at this," She let out, a self-deprecating laugh that didn't reach her eyes. The 'Angel' was trying to appear innocent again, but the blush on her cheeks and the swollen lips told a different story.
Then she stood up, her movements fluid and graceful. "You...You should rest." She looked away, a shy, sweet smile on her face.
"Yeah," you found your tongue, but no other words would come out. You just watched her as she walked away, her small figure disappearing into the shadows. You were left there, alone, the taste of her kiss still on your lips. The pain in your side was a dull ache now, a distant reminder of the fight, of the world that existed beyond this stolen moment. You closed your eyes, and all you could see was her face, her blue eyes dark with desire.
All those feelings that she had stirred inside you, they were a new kind of hunger. You knew that was another wave of feelings that you were about to dive into. You could still hear her words...Annie would be better at this...The girl had managed to make your mind wander once more...Just what kind of world were you about to step into now?
-x-X-x-
The night passed in peace, your sleep far quieter than you would have liked. The sun was rising; the new day had arrived. The bandits were still tied up, their faces a mixture of anger and defeat. The wound on your side was still there, a dull reminder of the night's events.
"We're heading out," Marco announced, his face grim but determined. "We'll take them back to the base. They will have to answer for their crimes."
No one objected. The adrenaline from the fight had dissipated, replaced by a tired determination. Your mind was blank for most of the morning, not even thinking about the feeling of Krista's body against yours. Not even about the kiss. Just...Blank. Krista seemed to be in a similar state of mind. After all, she had allowed herself to act so selfishly for the first time in a while. The confidence that she seemed to have had died down to ignoring you, the same as before.
Annie, on the other hand, seemed as normal as ever. Her gaze was as cold as ever, but the bandage on your side was a constant reminder of her worry. Every so often, your eyes would meet, and she would inspect your wound from her horse.
You had a long journey ahead of you, but you felt a strange sense of calm. The fight, the kiss, the wound—they were all a part of you now. A part of the new you.
The only noteworthy incident in your return took place when the Team that had Emelina and the rest, including Mikasa, arrived to help escort the bandits, which sped up the process. As the two groups met, it was Jean who had to greet her; he looked like he had seen a ghost. There was a brief questioning, which quickly resulted in her riding next to you, inspecting the wound, and giving you a smile so dark that you began to fear for the lives of the bandits...And for Jean, who was also in the escort group.
It was a simple, yet chilling smile, the kind that promised a slow and painful death. "Jean, you seem to have a lot of free time," Emelina said to him, making the boy jump in his saddle. It was a quick jab at the fact that she had asked him to look out for you, and yet, he had obviously failed.
"I...I didn't..." He stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.
She turned her attention back to you, her smile softening just a fraction. "Are you in a lot of pain, brother?" she asked.
"Not at all," You said, trying to cover up for Jean, after all, you had been the one to give him a little advice...Though you had expected him to give up rather quickly. But still, you felt a small bit of pity for the guy.
Emelina seemed to understand your intentions. She let out a small sigh. "Fine. I won't punish him," she said, her eyes glinting with amusement. "If only because I have a very stupid brother." The small insult was a sign of her affection, a twisted but genuine form of it. She then rode ahead, her back straight, a small, confident smile on her face.
Jean, relieved, let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Thanks," he mumbled, not looking at you. "I owe you one."
"I guess you do," You said, a small smile on your own face. But not really hiding the fact that Jean should probably stop now before he gets in more trouble than he could handle.
For many, this was the first combat against real humans. The first real test of their skills, and while the battle had been resolved, the handling of the prisoners and the interrogation at the base was something none of them expected to be so exhausting. The cadets, exhausted and covered in dirt, finally arrived at the base. The bandits were handed over to the Military Police, their faces a mix of defiance and resignation. Given that you were the only one injured, you were sent to the infirmary alone.
The news of what had happened soon spread throughout the base. Cadets from other groups whispered in the hallways, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and admiration. The story of the small group of trainees who fought off a band of armed men became a legend overnight. A legend in which you were one of the heroes. That night, you wrote in your own diary about all the events that had taken place.
Now a week passed really quickly. You didn't stay at the infirmary very long, since the wound was quick to heal. Still, everyone came around you to make sure that you were fine. Adelaide, who had grown a bit distant, did her best to support you, bringing special bread rations. It was the same with Krista and the rest; even Sasha agreed to share a little bit of her meat with you for the effort. Only Annie, with her usual attitudes remained distant, but you knew in her face that she was just trying to keep her cool.
And in just a week, you will have your next big training. The mountain pass test, one meant to test endurance under winter conditions, ensures that even in a harsh environment, you would be able to survive...Though it would be then that your heart's affections would split once more.
-x-X-x-
A Few Days before the Mountain Expedition
Winter had begun to set in across Wall Rose and Sina. Temperatures began to drop at an alarming rate. Snow was a thing that was not going to appear in the base, but the nearby mountain range was already covered in white. It was a good sight, but one that did not provide for ease in the minds of the cadets. After all, the next exercise would require teamwork and extreme endurance. The teams would not be randomly chosen this time. Instead, they would be chosen amongst the cadets, a test of the comradeship and abilities that had been built over the past year.
You found yourself in the gymnasium alongside Mikasa, both of you immersed in your own exercises. Normally, Mikasa wouldn't be very talkative; she never was. However, after the incident at the camp, she had become slightly more talkative.
Obviously, you couldn't forget about it due to Krista, but she was probably worried after Eren. She always was, you remembered how she took that role of protector since the day that Eren's mother, Carla, lost her legs. She would always go out with them, listen to Carla, and protect Eren in whichever way it was possible. Of course, whenever Eren goes into trouble, especially because of his obsession with the Survey Corps, you were there to help them out.
So the silence that filled the gymnasium as both you and Mikasa trained wasn't as uncomfortable as one might think. It was a comfortable silence, a silence that was built on mutual respect and responsibilities. You both saw yourselves as protectors of your respective friends and family. Blessed with the strength to be able to do so, yet cursed by the responsibilities that come with such a gift. A blessing and a curse, perhaps. Though you had long decided to see it more as a blessing and a way to be able to live up to the man who gave his life to save you.
There was an audible huff as Mikasa performed sit-ups, her movements controlled and steady. You continued with your own routine, the burn in your muscles a familiar sensation. The silence stretched on, punctuated only by the sound of your breathing and then the soft thud of Mikasa's feet on the floor.
"Conrad."
Mikasa's voice was quiet and soft, but it always held the tone of someone who knew that they meant every word they spoke. You stopped your push-ups and looked over at her. Her abs tensed as she sat up, sweat glistening on them, showing the amount of effort she was making. She looked at you, her dark eyes holding a strange sort of seriousness.
.
----------------->
.
"That night when you and Eren fought the bandits," she began, her gaze unwavering. "I wasn't there. I should have been."
She didn't apologize; her pride rarely, if ever, let her do that. But the words were there, an unspoken regret hanging in the air between you.
"You don't think I can't help my friends, Mikasa?" You asked, testing her. Not out of malice, but out of curiosity. To see if she saw you as just another one of her friends that she needed to protect.
Mikasa stood up and walked over to you. She moved as she always did, with strength and firmness in each of her steps. Her walk did have a certain quality that made it hard to look away. You looked at her as she stood beside you, the red scarf that she always wore a stark contrast to her dark hair.
"I know," she said reassuringly. "I know you can take care of yourself. You are strong...Perhaps even as strong as me..." She said, a small, but proud smile forming on her lips. She then started to stretch, her arms reaching towards the ceiling. The fabric of her shirt pulled tight against her torso, revealing the lean muscles of her back and the defined lines of her stomach.
She clearly did not mind the way you were looking at her. A part of you wondered if it was because of her focus on Eren, or merely the fact that you had known each other for so long that a simple look was nothing to be worried about.
"But that doesn't mean I don't have to protect him," she said, relaxing her muscles as she finished her stretch. "You have been helping him, too. I'm grateful for that. But..."
She paused, a thought that she couldn't bring herself to say aloud. But you did have a pretty good idea of what it was.
"But...I have to be the one to do it." You finished for her. It was a simple statement of fact, the reality of her relationship with Eren. She wanted to be the one to always protect him. For him, she needed to be the strongest.
Mikasa's expression then turned from calm to a slight worry, her eyes lowering towards the scarf on her neck. "I wish he made it easier," she said, almost in a whisper, thinking of all the trouble Eren always got himself into. The statement was something that she had probably said to herself countless times. It was a vulnerability that she had never shown to you before.
"He's...Eren," you said, a weak attempt at a joke.
That made her smile. "He is."
The two of you stood there for a moment. A comfortable silence once again filled the gymnasium. You had known her for a long, long time, but it was not until now that you saw a different side of her. A side that was not the strong one...You chuckled, it was very similar to who you were...Afraid of losing the people you loved, willing to do anything to sacrifice...anything, she was likely the same, and yet you had always been somewhat distant.
"But...at least, he listens to you," She said as she began to do some more stretching exercises. This seemed to be a bit of a sore spot for her. That you were someone else that her Eren did listen to. "That's more than I get...He always said," You interrupted her.
"Wants to do it himself, right?" You finished for her. You had heard that phrase countless times, both from Eren and from the others around you.
Mikasa nodded. Hiding a bit of her face within the scarf.
.
-------------------->
.
"I am glad," Mikasa stated.
"For what?" You asked.
"That you're with us," Mikasa stated, her gaze meeting yours again. "It..." She did not bring herself to finish the sentence. "That day in Shiganshina... I think without you and your sister, Eren's mother might not have made it..." She said, her tone sincere. The memory of the fall of Shiganshina was one you had both shared.
"I am sure you would have been able to," you replied. You had no doubt that she could have been able to handle the situation. The strength that she had shown in the training grounds was not just for show.
But she shook her head. "I couldn't carry the beam...I couldn't..." She paused, looking away for a second. "...You saved him from himself many times." Her gratitude was evident. Yet...there was another side to her words. Perhaps, relief?
"That's why I wanted to ask you if you would want to be in his team for the upcoming mountain test." She finally said, catching you off guard.
You looked at her. The offer was not surprising, but the way she said it was. There was a sense of urgency in her eyes, a silent plea.
"Armin and Eren want you to join," She added, "But Eren does not want me to join the three of you...He wants to do this alone...The 'manly' way."
You couldn't help but sigh at the mention of Eren's pride. But you understood him. He wanted to prove himself, to show that he could stand on his own.
"I'll do it," You said. You didn't need to think about it. They were your friends, your comrades.
Mikasa's shoulders relaxed, a small sign of relief. She then walked over to the bench and picked up her towel. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, the movement slow and deliberate. She looked at you, her dark eyes softening.
"Thank you," she said. "I am sure Carla would feel happy to know we are still taking care of him."
She then turned and walked away, her footsteps echoing in the empty gymnasium.
That evening, after dinner, the mountain pass expedition teams were posted on the main bulletin board. There was a small crowd, the cadets all trying to find their names. You walked through the small crowd, the voices of your comrades murmuring to each other. And there it was, Eren, Armin, and your name in one spot.
You looked over to Mikasa, who had her name on a different team with Reiner and Bertholdt. She didn't seem to mind, but you could see the small disappointment in her eyes. A small nod from her told you everything.
Regardless, this was just a routine exercise. Eren seemed to be excited, while Armin was anxious about the preparations for the cold. Hopefully, things would go on without a hitch.
-x-X-x-
After a full day of preparations, you were ready to head out into the cold and harsh mountain ranges. However, your emotions were not completely clear. The heart-to-heart you had with Eren that night of the bandit attack continued to provide food for thought. Krista had been quite direct...Her actions were a sort of confession, but she was now avoiding you, perhaps...waiting for you to make the first move.
Meanwhile, Annie, after showing a clear concern for your wound... Had gone back to her cat-like behavior. Her avoidance was more consistent than before, almost as if she was trying to prove something to herself or as if she felt she needed to be cold...Her bandaging of your wound was a memory you could not get rid of.
Women...Women were really confusing to you. Yet, the heat from Krista pressing her body against yours, and the way she climbed onto your lap, the feeling that your strength gave her confidence and made her feel safe...The feeling of her small, perky breast against your hand. The memory kept replaying. If there was something your mind could comprehend was that...that action took a lot of bravery from her part, especially as an angel. But then, the look on her face after it was one of guilt...A guilt of perhaps enjoying it, that she had stolen a kiss. A kiss...That was your first, and you were sure it was hers, too.
Was that how you were supposed to behave...More direct and more assertive? Eren had told you as much. Perhaps...Annie and Krista were also looking for someone who would not be a coward...In that regard, as well?
Unknowingly, you got your chance while performing late-night maintenance checks. This area was far from the main grounds, close to the western fence. The ODM gear you were assigned had a persistent issue with the pressure gauge needle sticking. It was a delicate job, requiring focus. The cold mountain air seeped through your jacket, nipping at your ears.
Your attention, however, was fractured. Every few seconds, you looked up, scanning the area. You were waiting. Not quite sure for what. Or for whom. The faint scent of pine and oil hung in the air. Your hands worked on their own, your fingers knowing the gear's parts by heart. You loosened the casing of the gauge, careful not to strip the small screws. Inside, the thin metal coil needed adjusting.
And then, the sound of someone opening the door. Only a few lamps illuminate the insides of the ODM maintenance shed. The moonlight was not enough for you to see who it was, but the footsteps that followed were light, almost inaudible. You recognized them. A familiar set of footsteps.
She walked into the limited pool of light cast by your work lamp. Annie. Her hands were empty. She wore her standard uniform, the fabric stiff and unyielding in the cold. She looked tired again...and whenever you were doing late-night duty, she managed to appear out of the blue.
She walked to the workbench across from you, her back facing you. She let out a tired sigh. The steam from her breath was visible in the cold. She didn't say anything at first.
"If you are tired, you should be resting," You said.
"Looking for a quiet place to think," She replied. She then turned around to face you, her blue eyes scanning the area. She then went to inspect the parts on the bench next to you. Her proximity was a test. A silent one.
"You seem to be having trouble with that gauge," She said, her eyes now on your work.
"It sticks," You answered. You did not look at her. You kept your focus on the delicate mechanism. Then she approached, sitting beside you, placing her head on your shoulder. As usual, you let it happen. You didn't flinch. You just kept working on the gauge.
"I heard about the mountain test," She said, her voice quiet. "You're with Eren and Armin."
You hummed a confirmation.
"The Shiganshina Trio," She said, her tone neutral.
That made you stop working on the gauge. You turned your head to look at her. Her face was close, the way her blonde hair sometimes touched your cheek. Her breath was a warm gust against your neck. It reminded you of that night with Krista...How her breath was against your cheek. You had the chance now. A clear one. There were no bandits, no other cadets. Just the two of you.
You could lean in. Kiss her. And see what would happen...To take charge, but then she hit you with a question.
"Isn't Krista a bit too happy with you?" She asked, her eyes focused on your tools. The sudden change in topic was unexpected. The directness of the question is even more so. Yet, the name did not come out of her tongue with any contempt. It came out as a fact.
Then she slowly removed her head from your shoulder. A small movement, but it felt like a big one. The warm spot on your shoulder was now cold. She stood up, her movements as fluid as ever.
"Don't think I haven't noticed," She said, her back to you. "Her smiling, that... 'I know something you don't' kind of smile." She looked at you from over her shoulder.
The accusation was there. Something happened between you two' is what she probably meant, but could she have known what? Not likely, if she actually knew...Then you would have wished you had not returned her dagger just a few nights prior...No one had seen you. But you could not be dishonest with her.
"You wouldn't happen to know why that little angel is so...smug lately, would you?" She said, right as you felt her hugging you from behind. Her arms wrapped around your shoulders, her chin resting on your head. Her hands are on your chest. This was new, not even she was this direct before. The contact was not soft. It was firm, almost demanding.
"What are you doing?" You asked, not moving a muscle. You could feel her breath on your neck, a warm gust that made the hairs on your arm stand up.
"I am testing a theory," She said, her voice close to your ear. "They say that when someone is lying, their heartbeat changes...I wonder if I—"
You stopped her by putting your hands on hers. The contact was unexpected. Her hands were cold, the skin rough from years of training. Her body tensed against yours, a subtle but clear sign of surprise. The confident act faltered for a second. You didn't squeeze. You just held her hands, a gentle but firm grip. Then let go, as you stood up...Your mind focused on the only way to answer her question.
You then turned around to face her. Her face was flushed. Her usual cold facade had cracked, revealing a flicker of...something else. But there was still a bit of defiance in her eyes. 'Do you think you are the only one who can be direct?' Your eyes replied to her defiance.
You stepped closer towards her, placing a hand against her hip. The immediate reaction was a gasp from her. "What are you doing?" She asked, her voice shaking a little. You did not answer, but were very careful as you walked her towards one of the walls. The flickering shadows of the workshop cast you two in silhouette. You were now so close to her, your bodies almost touching.
Her back was almost pressed against one of the wooden walls, the hand on her back cushioning her, while you lifted another to her head. The way she let her hair down was not something that happened often, but tonight it was. Her blonde hair cascaded around her shoulders. You then took a lock of her hair, letting it slide through your fingers. Her breath hitched. "Stop it," She said, her voice a weak command.
You ignored her. Her resistance was a fragile thing, a thin veneer over a desire she refused to admit. You then leaned in, your lips brushing against her ear. "I thought you wanted to test a theory," You whispered.
"Can I test it too?" You asked, placing your hand against her chest. The steady beat of her heart was a frantic rhythm against your palm. She tried to push you away, but her hands were weak, trembling. Her resolve was crumbling.
"You're...an idiot," She finally managed to say, her voice barely audible. "Is this how you treat a girl who saved your life?" She asked, trying to regain control of the situation. Yet, she didn't try to stop you.
"You saved it so you could do this, right?" You replied. The answer was a gamble, a shot in the dark, but it hit its mark.
She didn't answer. She couldn't. The lie was too big, the truth too painful. Instead, she just looked at you, her blue eyes wide with a mix of fear and longing. The girl who faced down those who moved with a cold, deadly precision was now trapped against a wall, unable to move, unable to speak. A small sigh left her lips, and she closed her eyes. "You...win."
That was the confirmation. A surrender. You caressed her chin with your hand, your thumb brushing against her lower lip. Her body trembled, a small shudder that ran through her entire frame. You then leaned in and captured her lips. The feelings and emotions within yourself were also about to burst, the memories of that night with Krista making everything feel...more natural and fall into place.
Her lips were softer, just like those of Krista. But much softer than you imagined. The kiss started gently, and it remained as such, but you could tell that the kiss, just as with Krista, was another story of a 'first'. Unlike the devouring greed of Krista...You felt you could take your time with Annie
.
------------------->
.
You pulled away for a second, a small string of saliva connecting your lips. "Is this...okay?" You asked, your voice a rough whisper.
Annie's only response was a single soft nod.
You kissed her again, this time with a bit more intensity. Your other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. The cold, rough wall of the workshop pressed against her back, a stark contrast to the warmth of your body. Her hands, which had been resting limply at her sides, now moved to your chest. Her fingers gripped the fabric of your shirt, pulling you closer still.
She kissed back. A tentative response at first, slowly getting used to your rhythm. This was uncharted territory for her, for both of you. Your hand moved from her hip to her back, tracing the line of her spine. She shivered at your touch, a soft sigh escaping her lips, lost in the kiss.
Your other hand tangled in her hair, the strands soft and cool between your fingers. You tilted her head back, deepening the kiss, your tongue tracing the curve of her lower lip. She then hesitated on whether or not to open her mouth. After a second, her lips parted, granting you access. Your tongue met hers, but she was shy; you had to guide her.
Annie responded with more vigor than before, her hands moving from your chest to your neck, her fingers tangling in your hair. Her grip was surprisingly strong, a remnant of her fighting instinct. The kiss became a bit more intense, a silent battle of wills. Who would break away first? Who would surrender? All these feelings, this need to be in control. And you let her win.
You pulled away, leaving her breathless. Her lips were swollen, her cheeks flushed. You rested your forehead against hers, your breath mingling in the cold air. The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken words.
"You are such an idiot," Annie said, but this time her voice was soft, lacking its usual bite. "Don't you know girls get cold?" She then said, a bit of her usual dryness returning.
You chuckled. "I'll keep you warm." You then wrapped your arms around her, pulling her into a proper embrace.
Annie stiffened for a second, then relaxed, her head resting against your chest. She was surprisingly light, her body fitting perfectly against yours. You could feel her heartbeat and immediately noticed that your embrace calmed her down. You then heard a soft sigh of relief from her.
"I should be angry at you," She said, her words coming out somewhat broken. "You and her..." Her fingers curled into the fabric of your shirt. "...Don't tell me you did the same thing with her."
You didn't answer. You just held her tighter. That was half the answer, and then. "No...not quite," you responded, making sure to be honest...Even if you had to be vague. "This is different."
Annie raised her head to look at you. Her eyes were searching, looking for something. "How so?" She asked. "What makes me different?" She asked, like a vulnerable child...
"Everything," you said, and it was the truth. The quiet intensity, the guarded vulnerability, the way she held herself—it was a complete contrast to Krista's open, almost desperate warmth.
Annie's gaze dropped, her bangs hiding her expression. She then rested her head on your chest again. "Liar," she whispered, but there was no anger in her voice. Just a quiet acceptance.
You ran your fingers through her hair, the strands soft between your fingers. "I'm not," you said.
Silence. The only sounds were the faint hum of the work lamp and the distant call of a night bird. The cold air seeped in under the door, but you didn't feel it. Not with her in your arms. Then you noticed she was shaking. Not from the cold.
"Your..." You started to say, but then she just pulled you in for another kiss. This one was different. It was more demanding, more urgent. She poured all her frustrations, all her fears, all her unspoken desires into that kiss. Her hands gripped your shoulders, her nails digging into your skin through the fabric of your shirt.
And then it came to a stop.
Annie pulled away, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath. She looked at you, her blue eyes dark with a mix of emotions. "Your...hands are warm," she managed to say. The honesty was disarming. Coming from her, it was a confession. A sign of trust.
You smiled. "So are yours."
She looked at her hands, as if seeing them for the first time. They were small, delicate, but you knew the strength they held, even though they were smaller than yours. Then she looked back at you. A strange emotion flickered across her face. Something akin to jealousy. Or envy.
"Tomorrow...I expect you to be here again. Same place. Same reason," She said, her voice regaining some of its usual composure. She then fixed her hair. A small gesture, but it was a sign that the wall was going back up.
"I still have to fix my gear," You reminded her.
Annie smirked, a small, almost invisible curve of her lips. "You can do that...Tomorrow," She then turned and walked away, her steps as steady as ever. The door closed behind her, leaving you alone in the cold workshop.
You stood there for a moment, then let the flood of desires and emotions pass through your body. You took a look at your gear and then decided that. "Yeah, tomorrow," You said to yourself. You then went back to the barracks. The feeling of her body against yours was still vivid. Just how different could two girls be? Krista's hungry, possessive warmth, and Annie's fragile, yielding coldness.
You were sure that you would have more chances to find out.
-x-X-x-
The day after, you and Annie met at the same time, for the same reason. That night it was softer than the last, but not for that any less intimate. Your time with Annie, taking charge, was something new to you. Yet, even as you kissed, you couldn't help but feel some guilt for kissing her and Krista. Did you really love them both...What were those feelings you had for them? Were they even in love or just plain lust? Was that even a question that you should be having right now?
Was it not enough for the two of them to love you? Or to want you? Or to crave you? Was that not enough? Did you have to love them back? And if you did, did you have to love one more than the other? And if you didn't, would you be hurting them by not loving them back?
The questions were relentless; you desired to protect and not cower from those feelings, which sent your mind churning. Perhaps...Just perhaps, it was best not to think about it. To let things develop as they came.
That could be the only answer for now. After all, having the memories of the taste of the lips of two women, the texture of their skin, and the softness of their bodies was enough to keep any man's mind preoccupied.
And...Oh, you were preoccupied.
The day after your second kiss with Annie, you found yourself inside the storage shed where you and Adelaide had spoken all that time ago. You were counting and sorting medical supplies, a mindless task that allowed your thoughts to relax. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled your nose, the cool touch of glass bottles in your hands grounding you.
Krista came inside the storage shed; the door opened, and the small creek made you turn. Her eyes looked at you and then at the medical supplies. "Doing inventory, Conrad?" She asked, her voice soft.
"Yep," You answered.
A small smile formed on her lips, one that made her look more playful than her usual 'angelic' self. "Don't you think it's a bit boring for someone who can fight a dozen men?" She said, taking a step closer.
"It needs to be done," You said. Trying to keep your focus on the task at hand. However, if she had come here...Then it was likely that she came with a purpose.
"Is that so?" Krista said, her tone still soft and playful. "I was hoping to help you."
"Then you can count those," You said, pointing to a stack of bandages.
Krista let out a small sigh. "No. I want to talk," Her gaze lingered on your side, where the bandit's bullet had grazed you. She then took a step closer. "How is it healing?" She asked, placing her hand on it.
"It should already be fully healed by now," You replied, looking at her. Her eyes relaxed for a moment before they went wide. Her nose sniffled a bit as if she had smelled something.
"I see..." She said, her fingers now tracing your jawline. "...She smells nice, doesn't she?" Her eyes looked at your neck, the place where Annie's head rested the night before. "The scent of clean laundry and...something bitter...Something like that." Her thumb traced the line of your jaw again.
'I can't believe this, she can smell that?!' Your mind raced. The faint scent of Annie's perfume lingered on your skin. A scent you hadn't even noticed until she pointed it out. But Krista noticed. Her angelic senses were too sharp for your own good.
You didn't answer. You just stood there, your hands empty, the fear of what would come to pass. How could she know? And if she knew, what would she do?
A small smile played on Krista's lips. "... Unbelievable. Here I was, worried about you... and you were..." Her eyes narrowed. Her smile then widened into a look that held no angelic quality. "...You didn't waste any time, did you?"
She leaned in, her face so close to yours that you. "It's only been a week. And you already went for her." Her tone was not accusatory. It was a statement of fact. "...You couldn't help yourself, could you?"
Her eyes scanned your face, searching for any sign of a lie. But you didn't have one. Your silence was the confirmation she needed. You were an open book to her. A book she was now reading with great interest.
"I don't blame you," Krista said, her voice now a soft whisper. "But I demand a fair fight." Her smile was playful, but the look in her eyes was not. It was the same as before, but tinted a sign of jealousy and neediness. "Sit down," She commanded, pointing to a nearby crate.
You did as she asked, your mind still processing the sudden turn of events. You sat on the crate, the wood cold against your pants. Krista stood in front of you, her small frame looking far too soft.
"Good boy," She said, a small, triumphant smile on her lips. She then placed her hands on your shoulders. She then leaned in again. "If you think she is the only one who can smell nice... you are wrong." She then removed your hands from your shoulders and climbed onto your lap, straddling you. Her weight was negligible, but her presence was immense.
She was not shy, pressing her small chest against your own; her small, perky breasts seemed to be looking for some contact with your chest. She leaned in, her face so close that your breaths mingled. Her blonde hair cascaded around her face, a curtain that blocked out the rest of the world.
Then she kissed you. It was a kiss that was as demanding as it was passionate. Her lips were soft, but her movements were assertive. Her hands tangled in your hair, pulling you closer, deepening the kiss. Her tongue swept into your mouth, exploring, claiming.
You responded in kind. Your hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer. Her body was warm, her skin soft under the fabric of her uniform. Then she pulled out of the kiss. A bit of a string of saliva connecting your lips.
"I am a terrible woman," She said, her lips brushing against yours.
"No," You said, but the word was lost in the sound of your own ragged breathing.
"Oh...? But I am..." She said, stopping for a moment, "...But you? You are even worse. For forcing a girl like me to act this way." She then started to leave a trail of kisses down your jawline, her teeth nipping at your skin. "And...I bet it wasn't even you, was it?" She then left a trail of kisses up your jawline, and her breath was warm against your ear. "She probably forced herself on you."
"No, she did not," You told her, your voice a hoarse whisper. But you then remembered that it had indeed been you who forced her against the wall, you who had been the one to kiss her. But Krista's assumption wasn't entirely wrong either. After all, how could you forget what you had experienced with her and not want to try it with Annie?
Krista let out a small laugh, a breathy, self-satisfied sound. She pulled away slightly, just enough to look at you. Her blue eyes were dark, almost black, in the dim light of the storage shed. She was enjoying this. The power, the control. The effect she had on you and your body.
"So you do have some fight in you," She said, a small smirk playing on her lips. She then leaned in, her lips brushing against your ear. "Good." Her hand moved down, sliding between your bodies, her palm pressing against your groin. "Because I like a good fight."
You gasped, your hips bucking involuntarily. The sudden contact sent a jolt of pleasure through you, a raw, undeniable urge. Her touch was not gentle. It was firm, demanding. A claim. She knew exactly what she was doing.
"You're a cruel angel," You managed to say, your hands gripping her waist, your knuckles white. You were the one with the prodigious strength, yet here you were, completely at her mercy.
Krista smiled, a genuinely happy, almost radiant smile. "The cruelest," She whispered, her fingers tracing the outline of what grew down below, before pulling back. The sudden loss of her touch was almost painful, leaving you aching for more. "But it's a lot more fun this way."
She then slid off your lap, her movements fluid and graceful. She straightened her uniform, the picture of innocence once again. But the smirk on her face and the dark glow in her blue eyes told a different story.
"I will let you have your fun with her," She said, her tone casual, as if she were discussing the weather. "But remember, I was here first." She then winked, a small, playful gesture that was loaded with meaning.
She then turned and walked away, leaving you alone in the storage shed. The scent of her perfume mixed with the sterile smell of antiseptic. Just one more day before the expedition. Would you even survive to see a third kiss? You weren't sure.