Training Grounds
The Week Before
You had to take a breath after a long day of exercise, after all, your body already spoke of soreness. It was a good thing for your future athletic ability, but even at dawn, you could tell that today would not be a good day to push yourself in any way. As some would put it, it would be a 'lazy' day, and the other cadets had their own plans for this short holiday in the training grounds.
The cadets were already lively, all ready to enjoy some relaxation and peace after many fatiguing months of training.
"We will catch a big fish today, you'll see!" Sasha announced, already holding a fishing rod.
"You say that every single time, Sasha," Connie sighed, shaking his head as he adjusted the small net he was carrying.
But they still smiled at each other like friends, which was a natural occurrence in the camp. Connie then raised his arm in greeting towards a particular someone.
"Jean! Are you going to fish with us?"
Jean let out a groan, arms crossed. "Like hell I'm joining your dumb and hungry club again. Last time Sasha ate all the fish we caught and left me with nothing," He complained, though he nonetheless walked towards them, his steps slow and reluctant.
"Come on, man! Don't be such a grumpy head! We need someone with a keen eye to spot the good ones!" Connie pleaded.
Jean ran a hand through his ash-brown hair, a gesture you'd come to associate with him being cornered. "Fine. But I get the biggest catch." He finally relented, a small smirk forming on his lips. The prospect of a good catch, and the bragging rights that came with it, was too tempting to pass up. Meanwhile, Sasha clattered her teeth, like a dog.
As you watched this little scene unfold, you felt a sense of normalcy wash over you. A cadet on a lazy day. But then...
You stayed where you were on the balcony of the male barracks. Only for Armin to come out. A book in his hands, he smiled at you.
"Conrad, are you not going with them?" He asked, gesturing towards the group of fishing cadets.
You shook your head. "I think I'll just stay here."
Armin nodded. "Heh...That may not be the best option with Eren all sick in bed," He said, a small smile on his face.
You nodded, remembering how Eren had been sneezing for all of yesterday. You told him to rest, but he, being the stubborn one he was, still wanted to train. He probably got it from too much exertion, but you didn't really pay much mind to it.
"I bet Mikasa is already tending to him... She always makes sure he gets the best care," You said with a small chuckle.
"Yeah, but you know how Eren gets when he's sick," Armin replied. "He wants to prove he can still train even with a fever."
You both shared a laugh. Acknowledging the truth in each other's words.
The day was warm, a rare gift before the winter's final grip tightened. The sun hung high, its light glinting off the polished barrels of training rifles stacked by the main gate. It was a nice and comfortable day, perhaps, you could take a stroll around the base, maybe read a bit, or even find someone to pass the time.
"It's not going to be too long until we graduate, huh?" You said the thought had been in your mind for quite some time. "Just a few months and we will be on our own..."
Armin gave a nod, "Yes, I am quite excited about what comes next, to be honest." He said with a genuine smile. "But also nervous. I mean...My performance hasn't been the best out there."
"Physical training? I could help you out with some stuff." You offered.
He shook his head with a small sigh, his blonde bob cut hair swaying from side to side. "I've learnt to acknowledge my deficiencies. Mikasa, Annie, Reiner and you all have that something that sets you apart from the rest." He then looked at you with confidence, "I am sure you will all become great soldiers. The same goes for Eren." The look of admiration from him towards his friends was something that was never missing from his expression. "I just hope I get the chance to be useful."
"We all get our chances, Armin. Just remember that," You told him, trying to give some reassurance. You did not want to sound too preachy, but the words came out anyway. Griffin's sacrifice came to mind again. Though you sometimes asked yourself the question of why you and not others. The answer that came to you was simple. 'Not even heroes can be everywhere.' That was the answer. 'So it's your job to be the hero when and where you can.' That was a heavy thought. One that you tried to forget. You looked away from the balcony, at the blue sky and the few stray clouds that drifted by.
"Ah-Choo!!!" Eren's sneeze rumbled through the barracks. "It's just a cold! I'm fine!" You heard him say to Mikasa, followed by a fit of coughs.
Armin let out a small laugh, and you did as well. It was then that you decided that perhaps it was best for you to go find something to do other than hear Eren's sneezes all the time.
"See you later, Armin," You said, patting him on the shoulder.
"See you later, Conrad," He replied with a smile.
You walked down the stairs of the barracks, the wood creaking under your boots. Your eyes then spotted the blonde hair of the girl who was on your mind for a while.
"Annie..." You muttered. She was leaning against one of the walls of the maintenance sheds. That she made herself easy to find was probably the only sure sign that she wanted you to approach her. She had her eyes closed, arms crossed. The way she stood, with one foot flat against the wall and her head tilted back, was a picture of studied indifference. Very much as cat-like as she usually was.
As you walked towards her, you realised that she almost never approached when there were others around. She always kept her distance from others, even you. Perhaps, you thought that it was a way to keep the facade of the cold and distant aloof girl that she had created for herself. Or maybe it was just...her being her. All you were sure of was that beneath that facade, whenever she was around you, she became just a girl. And a fragile one.
Annie's eyes fluttered open as you drew near. She adjusted her hair, her gaze landing on your chest for a second before moving to your face. "You're late," she said. Her tone was flat, but there was a hint of something else in it.
"Late?" You asked, genuinely confused.
"You always come this way after training," Annie said, her gaze unwavering. "It's your routine."
A small smile tugged at the corner of your lips. So she had been watching you. Not in a creepy way, but in a way that showed she paid attention. In a way that said she cared.
"I am not training today, I am quite...I think the word is 'exhausted'," You said, scratching the back of your neck.
"The others are getting ready to go fishing," She said. A simple observation. She was not asking you if you wanted to join. She was just stating a fact. But there was something in the way she said it. A hint of curiosity? Or maybe it was just your imagination.
"I'm not in the mood for fishing," You replied.
"Me neither," She said, pushing herself off the wall. "Too much noise."
The two of you stood in silence for a moment. The distant chatter of the fishing cadets was the only sound. The sun cast a warm glow on Annie's face, making her blue eyes seem brighter than usual. She looked so beautiful. But an idea came to mind. "You remember that night at the lake?"
Annie's expression didn't change. "It was cold."
"That's not what I was thinking about," You said. "I was thinking about you, about how you liked to stay on the water," A small smile formed on your lips, "Even in winter."
Annie didn't say anything for a while. She just looked at you, eyes showing that same restrained gaze as always. "Are you trying to invite me somewhere?" She asked with quiet restraint.
"A quiet place," You said.
That was enough to break that little bit of restraint of hers. She had that little smile. The subtle one that only you got to see. It was a reward for all your efforts to break through her walls.
"Only if you lead the way," She replied.
***
The walk through the forest path was quiet. It was on the opposite side of the river, where most of the cadets would gather, and its position meant that it required quite a bit of uphill trekking. A steep hillside with a patch of grass and some rock formations. It wasn't as easy to spot the lake from the base, but you had found it some months ago during a solo exercise, and you had been using it as a quiet place to think.
Annie was following you, her steps light and almost silent. She was not holding your hand. Not this time. She was just...following. Trusting you to lead the way to the quiet place you had promised her. Perhaps even testing your memory of how to get there. The forest was alive with the sounds of birds and the rustling of leaves, the sunlight filtering through the canopy, creating a mosaic of light and shadow on the forest floor. This is what the world should be like, you thought. Peaceful. Beautiful.
You finally reached the clearing, the lake shimmering under the sun like a piece of broken sky. The water was clear, and you could see the bottom, covered in smooth, grey pebbles. You walked to the edge of the lake, the ground cool and damp under your boots. Annie stood beside you, her gaze fixed on the water. There was only silence as you two appreciated the beauty of this small lake.
Then, after a short while, it was broken by Annie's quiet question. "Are you going to enter?" She asked, her hands tucked into her pockets.
"Yeah, I think I will," You replied with a small smile.
"Alone?" She asked, her eyes still on the lake.
You turned to face her. "I was hoping you'd join me."
Annie looked at you, at your face then at your chest and legs, a very...physical way of assessing you that was uniquely Annie. A way of checking to see if you were serious. She then gave a small shrug, a gesture that was both a question and an answer. "Last time you saw me without my permission." She stated. A reminder of the night at the lake. A reminder of your transgression. But the words were not an accusation, quite on the contrary.
"I guess I have to payback the favour then," You said, before beginning to unbutton your shirt, and then taking off your pants in front of her. This is a test, a direct challenge to the control she tried so hard to maintain. Your body was lean and muscular, a product of years of training. She watched you, her face devoid of emotion for a few seconds. But then you spotted the faint blush on her cheeks, as clear as day. She averted her gaze.
"Don't look," You teased. Your tone was light, but the words were quite direct.
Annie's head snapped back to you, her blue eyes wide with a mix of surprise and something else...something that looked a lot like...annoyance. "Why not?" She shot back, her tone sharp. But the blush on her cheeks broke any illusion of true anger.
You let out a small laugh; you didn't mind her looking. In fact, you wanted her to. You wanted her to see all of you. Every scar, every muscle. You wanted her to see the body that had held her, and she could rest on it in the night. Of course, your privates were still covered by the undergarments.
Annie stood there for a few more seconds, watching you. Then, she began to fidget with the hem of her hoodie, her fingers tracing the worn fabric. The sun had warmed the grass, and you knew the water would be cold. But you didn't care. You wanted to feel it and finally relax. But you were quick to spot that Annie didn't show any intention of taking off her clothes. Instead, she was just...staring at you. As if waiting for something. Perhaps, a signal.
'Fair enough,' You thought and walked right next to her, placing both hands on her shoulders. The contact made her flinch, a subtle but clear sign of her surprise.
"If you're not going in, then I'll take a good look at you instead," You said, your head tilting to the side. "Or do you need help?"
Annie's blush deepened, the colour creeping up her neck to the tips of her ears. "I can undress myself," She said, her voice a little more high-pitched than usual. But she made no attempt at moving away from your touch, and that was enough of an allowance for you to begin to help.
You started by taking off the belt that held her hoodie against her chest, your fingers brushing against the fabric and softness behind it. Her breath hitched. She then raised her arms in what seemed to be an almost involuntary movement. You pulled the hoodie over her head. Her blonde hair, slightly static from the movement, fell around her face. The plain white binds she wore underneath was thin, clinging to her chest, revealing the lean muscles of her arms and the subtle curve of her breasts. Her midriff and belly were also exposed. The skin was pale, almost luminous in the sunlight.
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One of your fingers found its way to her belly, tracing small circles. The muscles in her stomach tensed at your touch. "Stop," She whispered, her hands grabbing yours. But the words had no force behind them. The request was a fragile thing, a last-ditch effort to maintain some semblance of control.
You stopped. Then she turned around to face you, her blue eyes locking with yours. The blush was still there, but it was different now. It was not a sign of embarrassment anymore. It was something else entirely.
"I am trying," She said, her voice barely a whisper. But you did not understand what she meant by that. "To be what you want me to be," Her hands moved to your chest, her palms pressing against your skin. Her touch was light, tentative, as if she was afraid of breaking you.
"I don't want you to be anything you're not, Annie," You said, your hands finding their way to her waist, pulling her closer.
"I know," She said, her gaze dropping to your lips. "That's the problem."
Her hands moved from your chest to your neck, her fingers tangling in your hair. She pulled you down, her lips meeting yours in a kiss that was both demanding and yet deliciously hesitant. It was a conflict, a battle between the girl who wanted to be in control and the girl who wanted to let go. You responded in kind, your hands moving up her back, feeling the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her shirt. Then, she started to undo her own pants.
Her hands trembled as she unbuttoned them, the metal of the button cold against her skin. But then you stopped her hands, grabbing them gently.
"Let me," You said, your own hands moving to replace hers.
"Wait," She whispered. That creeping blush from earlier was returning. Then she pulled away and took a few steps back, "Turn around," She demanded.
You conceded to her in this regard, your body now turned and facing the direction of the lake. The rustle of fabric behind you, the soft thud of her boots hitting the grass. The lake had small ripples, the wind gently moving the water.
"Fine," She said. Her voice was quiet, but it was enough. You turned back around, and your breath hitched.
Annie was standing there. Her skin seemed to glow under the afternoon sun, a pale canvas of muscle and bone. Her frame was small, but you could see the lean muscles of her arms and the defined lines of her stomach. She was beautiful. She was perfect. And she was completely and utterly vulnerable.
She had her arms crossed over her chest, a pathetic attempt at modesty that did little to hide the curve of her breasts. Her hips were also narrow, her long legs muscular and lean. Her gaze met yours. A subtle shift in her weight signalled her appreciation for the way your own undergarments clung to your body.
"Well...?" She said, her tone a mix of challenge and invitation.
"You are...beautiful," You stated simply. The word 'beautiful' was a clumsy, inadequate tool for describing her, but you would have to make do.
The blush on her cheeks deepened, and she looked away, her gaze fixed on the water. "Don't say that," She whispered, her voice so low it was almost carried away by the wind.
"Why not?" You asked, stepping closer.
"Because..." She said, turning back to you. Her eyes were wide, a mix of fear and longing. "Because it makes me weak."
You laughed at that. You couldn't help yourself. The sheer absurdity of it all. The strongest girl you knew was afraid of a simple compliment. "Weakness, huh?" You said. "Well, if that's a weakness, then I want you to be weak."
Annie's expression widened for a moment before they softened. You then extended your hand for her to grab. "Let's go," You said, nodding towards the water. A word of encouragement.
Annie looked at your hand, her expression hesitant. Then, she took it. Her fingers were cold, the skin a little rough from training. The contact sent a shiver through your body, a jolt of electricity that had nothing to do with the cold. You led her to the edge of the lake, the water lapping at your feet. She didn't seem to mind the coldness of the water on her feet. Her grip on your hand tightened.
"You go in first," Annie said, her voice quiet.
You nodded and waded into the water, the shock of the cold taking your breath away. The water was deeper than you thought, and you were soon up to your knees. You turned around to face her.
Annie was standing on the shore, her body silhouetted against the bright light of the sun. She looked like a statue, a perfect, pale statue carved from marble. She then took a deep breath and waded in after you. The water reached her waist, and she either was completely used to the cold or merely didn't react at all, but you could see the small goosebumps on her skin.
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The difference in height became apparent as the water reached her chest. The lake wasn't deep for you, but it was for her. You took her other hand, pulling her closer.
"I can't touch the bottom," She said, her voice a little shaky. The admission of vulnerability was a rare thing for her.
"I know," You said, your hands moving to her waist, holding her steady. "Don't worry. I've got you." You then pulled her flush against your body. Though it was a bit comedic how she said that, when you were pretty sure that she could swim better than you.
"You think I'm afraid of drowning?" She asked, her blue eyes narrowing.
"No," You said with a small laugh. "I just think you want me to hold you."
Her face turned a bright shade of red, but this time she didn't pull away; instead, she merely closed her eyes. What came next was most obvious to you. You leaned in and kissed her, your lips meeting hers in a soft, gentle kiss. The water was cold, but her lips were warm. Her arms wrapped around your neck, pulling you closer. Allowing the softness of her lips distract you from the coldness of the water. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of you. The feeling of her skin against yours, the taste of her lips, the sound of her soft sighs.
You pulled away for a second, a small smile on your lips. "See? Not so weak, are you?" You teased, your thumbs stroking the small of her back.
"Shut up," She said, but her lips were curved into a small smile. She then rested her head on your shoulder, her body relaxing in your arms. The water was still, the only sounds were the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore and the distant chirping of birds.
"You're an idiot," She mumbled, her words muffled against your skin. "Trying to be with someone like me... A lost cause."
You didn't answer right away; you let her finish.
"I am a weak woman, and you have seen that," She confessed, her voice cracking with a raw honesty that made your own breath catch. "One day, my weakness will make you hate me." She had never said it that clearly before, and the directness of her statement was enough to leave you quiet. So you did not answer. Not with words, at least. You just held her tighter, as if trying to physically absorb the confession.
"You are also an idiot," She repeated her words from a few weeks ago, but this time they weren't an insult. They were a statement of fact, a plea. A plea to accept her. Weakness and all.
"Guess so," You said. "But I'm the one holding the lost cause." Your response was a quiet acceptance, a promise you didn't know you were making.
Annie went quiet. Then she nuzzled her head into the crook of your neck, a small, almost feral gesture. She surrendered against your words, against your body and then all you could do was hold her. Relaxing under the warmth of the sun and the coldness of the water, ironically, that was exactly how it felt to be with her. Cold on the outside, but always showing warmth and care, even if you didn't stop to notice it at times.
"Conrad," She whispered.
"Hm?" You replied, your hands stroking her back in a slow, gentle motion. The water moved around them, a gentle caress against your skin. A small droplet slid down her spine.
"Nothing," She said, pulling away slightly. "Just...Nothing."
You allowed her that avoidance for now. The two of you stayed in the water for a while longer. There were no more words, only the quiet sounds of the world around you. The sun cast a golden glow on the water, and the light danced across your faces. That day, her kisses felt that much more natural. Each filled you with enough happiness to last a long time.
-x-X-x-
Training Grounds
A Few Hours Later
The night had set upon the training grounds, and the training grounds felt empty. It was still early in the night, but Mikasa had finished taking care of Eren and made sure that he fell asleep. She was now walking towards the female barracks for the night. The only sounds were the chirping of crickets and the rustling of leaves in the wind. Most of the cadets were away at the fishing expedition or likely just strolling around the area.
Mikasa's path to the female dormitories was fast and quiet; an early night assured that she could wake up early tomorrow to make sure that Eren was fed before the morning training. She reached her bunk without any issues. She removed her clothes and prepared to head to sleep, but the quietness of the dormitory made her feel strange. Usually, the room was filled with the chatter of her fellow female cadets, but now? There was only silence. She was completely alone, and that brought a whole new kind of silence.
Mikasa got into her bunk, the sheets cool against her skin. She closed her eyes, trying to force herself to sleep, but then an unfamiliar warmth spread across her body. It started below her stomach; it wasn't a completely unfamiliar feeling...Especially not a young woman like her, but it was the cause of that feeling that surprised her. She felt it on her thighs, her arms...and even on her neck, and her own mind tried to trace the cause.
It was that scene.
Conrad and Krista, kissing in the infirmary.
Mikasa's cheeks flushed with heat for some reason, the blanket on top of her only making her feel warmer. She could not help but remember that scene, the way their lips had met, the softness of the kiss. She could not understand why her body was reacting this way. She had seen kisses before, but this was different.
Was it the closeness of seeing it among her friends? Or was it the fact that they tried to hide it? Or maybe it was the way that Krista's cheeks flushed and how she leaned into Conrad, with both warmth and desire.
Mikasa's breath hitched. A strange warmth spread between her legs. Her body was reacting to the memory. She felt a strange, aching emptiness. A need for...something. Perhaps, she had longed so long for something else that she had forgotten what it was.
Or perhaps, it was the question that she had asked Conrad earlier.
'Is it...always like that?'
His answer.
'Depends...On the person.'
Mikasa didn't know what that meant, but her body did. The memories of Carla kissing Grisha, and now the memory of Conrad and Krista...they were weaving together. She couldn't understand why this scene had such an effect on her, why she felt a strange pull. Maybe it was just embarrassment or perhaps even curiosity...but the kind of curiosity that did not sit well with her. A kind of curiosity that made her want to feel that way, too. And that is what scared her the most.
She sat up in her bunk, unable to remove that discomfort from her head. She needed a distraction. Something. Anything...and then, her imagination went wild. It flashed her the same image of the kiss between Conrad and Krista, but instead of the loving short kisses on the lips, they were more passionate, hungrier. Krista moaned and grabbed the back of Conrad's head, pulling him in. This thought made her blush even more, but her body responded with a heat that had now settled between her legs.
Mikasa looked down at her hands. They were strong, capable hands. Hands that could wield a sword, that could fight, that could protect. She closed her hands into fists, then opened them. The need for a distraction had turned into something else entirely. A need for release. The ache between her legs was becoming unbearable.
She looked around the empty dormitory. The privacy gave her the push to do what came after.
Mikasa lay back down, pulling the covers up to her chin. Her heart hammered against her ribs. The heat was still there, a pulsing ache that demanded attention. She took a deep breath, her mind a battlefield of desire and denial. 'What am I doing?' she thought, her mind screaming at her to stop. But then she slowly slid her right hand down her stomach, her fingers trembling slightly as they dipped below the waistband of her underwear.
The contact sent a shiver through her. It was a strange, new sensation. She hesitated, her fingers hovering over the source of the ache. Then, tentatively, she touched herself. A soft gasp escaped her lips, the pleasure catching her off guard...Enough for her to push that image of Krista and Conrad to the front of her mind again.
The image was now vivid, real. She could see the hunger in Krista's eyes, the way Conrad's hands roamed her body. Her fingers began to move, mimicking the movements in her mind. A new wave of pleasure washed over her, stronger this time. Her hips bucked involuntarily, her body responding to her touch.
A soft moan escaped her lips. She quickly bit her lip, silencing herself. The fear of being caught was a distant, insignificant worry. The only thing that mattered was the pleasure, the release that was now within reach. Her fingers moved faster, her touch more sure. The image in her mind grew more intense, more detailed. She could see them take off their clothes, the light of dawn glinting off their skin. She could hear their ragged breaths, their whispered words of affection.
She felt guilty at her own intrusion into their private moment. This guilt made her hesitate again. Her hand moved away from her underwear. The heat was still there, with a hint of a growing wetness that threatened to seep. The guilt was overwhelming, a heavy weight in her chest.
What would they think? That she was a pervert? Peeking at them? That's what they would think if they had known. But they didn't, and no one else would. So she pushed that thought away.
This was her secret. Her own private act. Not a violation of their privacy. She was just...using the memory. That's it. The guilt was now replaced by a sense of justification, a flimsy shield against her own conscience. She had to do this. She had to. The ache was becoming unbearable, a deep, throbbing need.
Her hand went down again, her fingers resuming their work. This time, there was no hesitation. Instead, this time it felt more desperate, and her touch was rougher. She focused on the pleasure, the feeling building inside her. The world around her faded away, leaving only the sensations. Her fingers, her heat, her breath.
The image in her mind changed. Wondering how far they would have gone if she had not been there at all. This thought made her feel like a traitor. Like she was stealing something that wasn't hers. But the thought was also intoxicating, a forbidden fruit that she couldn't resist. In her fantasy, Krista's hands slid lower. Her own touch mirrored the imagined movement, and a gasp escaped her lips. The heat intensified, a fire building in her core. The knot in her stomach tightened. Her body tensed. Her back arched off the bed. And then, with a final, desperate gasp, the wave crashed over her.
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The world came back into focus. The ceiling of the dormitory. The sound of her own ragged breaths. The wetness between her legs. A sense of shame washed over her, cold and heavy. She pulled her hand away, the evidence of her transgression gleaming on her fingers in the moonlight.
She curled into a ball, pulling the covers over her head. The shame made her want to disappear, but she didn't seem to mind it at all...What she seemed to be more embarrassed about was the last image of her fantasy...Instead of Krista, the image of her own hands had turned into Conrad's, his strong, sure fingers touching her in the same way.
She bit her lip. This new thought was more shameful, more dangerous. Because it was not just about a stolen moment, it was about a forbidden desire. She wanted that same experience. That's what the ache in her body was telling her. That's what the heat in her cheeks was admitting. But she couldn't...She had none to experience it with...But would that stop the ache? Would that stop the need? She didn't want to answer that. She had never considered such a question, and that made her feel even more guilty for even thinking about the possibility. The only option to satisfy that urge…She shook her head, unable to accept the thoughts of her wandering mind.
-x-X-x-
Training Grounds
Present Time
The Urban Training exercise was, but a few days away, soon, the entire 104th Southern Cadet Corp would go into the district of Trost. The objective? To train for the worst-case scenario of what remained of humanity, the return of the Colossal and Armored Titans. For many, this was not a matter of if, but when.
But even among those who wanted to believe that the threat of the Titans was imminent, they chose an easier illusion to cling to. That they wouldn't have to be the ones fighting. Preferably not in this lifetime, and if that was case, then from the safety of Wall Sina. This is why, for many, the top ten was an obsession, a golden ticket.
The sound of cadets sweeping and cleaning the training grounds was present throughout each inch of it. The instructors had ordered the complete cleanse and reorganization of the training grounds before leaving for the city. It would be the last thing they would do here before they left for Trost. A ritual. A way to mark the end of an era.
"I can't believe we will graduate soon," Eren said, a broom in his hands as he aggressively swept the front of the main building. The dust rose in small clouds around him. "The survey corps awaits us!" Eren said, with a confident but snarky smile. He couldn't hide his excitement, nor the relief from no longer suffering under his previous cold.
"Try not to break that broom, Eren," Jean said, a few feet away. Cleaning one of the walls. "You are not the only one excited, but some of us want to do this properly." He shot Eren a glare, which was quickly returned.
"Huh? Are you implying I can't handle a simple broom?" Eren shot back, his grip tightening on the wooden handle.
"I'm implying you're a reckless maniac who breaks everything he touches, Yeager," Jean replied, not missing a beat.
"And I'm implying you're a coward who talks a big game but would run at the first sign of danger, horse-face," Eren countered.
It was fun to hear them, that was for sure, but for you? The words of Annie still echoed in your mind. 'Break me. Your grip tightened immediately; you lost yourself every time those memories flashed in your mind. The tears. The vulnerability. The anger. The way she had looked at you, her eyes mixed with self-loathing and a desperate plea for something you couldn't quite grasp. The grip on the broom you were holding tightened so much that it began to crack under the pressure. The sound of the wood splintering snapped you out of your thoughts, the broom snapping in two.
Eren and Jean's argument came to an abrupt halt. They both turned to look at you, their expressions a mixture of surprise and amusement. Eren, being the more impulsive one, let out a laugh. "Wow, Conrad. I guess the advice was more for you than for me," He said, but with the hint of worry behind his laugh. "You okay? You seem a little out of it."
You looked at the broken pieces of the broom in your hands, then back at Eren. "Just thinking."
"Thinking? About what? Which branch are you going to join?" Eren asked, his eyes bright with anticipation. "The Survey Corps, right? We made a promise."
Jean, who had been watching from a distance, couldn't resist a jab. "Don't be a fool, Jaeger. A guy like Conrad could have any position he wants. He could get a cushy job in the Military Police, right alongside Annie, me, and....Emelina," He said that last name with a bit of fear, as if her sole name could cause an earthquake. He was right, of course. Though it was not her name that made you stagger back, your eyes widening at the mention of her name.
'Annie,' the sound of her name in Jean's mouth felt like an accusation. Like he knew. Which was impossible, but you still felt defensive. As if your entire secret was printed on your face.
"Conrad would never do that; he is not a coward like you," Eren said, stepping forward, placing a hand on your shoulder. The touch was meant to be reassuring, but it only made you feel more cornered.
"A coward?" You muttered. Your mind raced, a thousand thoughts colliding. Yeah, you were a coward. You were a coward for not being able to help Annie. For not being able to understand her. You had not been ready to handle her emotional outburst in the shed, nor were you now ready for her vulnerability by the lake. This, your own weakness, made you want to run away.
Your mouth grinned in sarcastic fashion as you let go of the two pieces of the broken broom, the wood hitting the stone ground with a clatter. "I don't think I'm the one they need," you said, the words coming out more bitter than you intended. You had gone to try and protect them...right? You were even seeing the two of them at the same time. Was your intention to help them? Or to help yourself? 'What am I doing?' You constantly asked yourself...What were you sacrificing not to be a coward? The thought that you were no different from Jean made you sick.
Jean's eyes narrowed. He didn't understand the comment; of course, he wouldn't. He only saw the surface, the rivalry, the competition. But for you, the question felt like regret.
Eren, on the other hand, looked at you with a tilt of the head. A simple gesture, but he was confused, "What are you talking about?" He was about to push further, but then he saw Instructor Shadis approach.
"What is this?" The instructor's voice boomed. "Why aren't you cadets working? And why is this broom broken?" He pointed at the pieces of wood on the ground. "Are you trying to tell me something, Almonacid?" His eyes were fixed on you.
You looked at Shadis, your eyes filled with an emotional anger that you were not able to convey. But you were not able to respond. Not to him, not to Eren, not to Jean.
"It's my fault, Instructor Shadis!" Jean said, stepping forward, a rare display of...something else. Not exactly courage. "I was teasing Conrad, and he lost focus. I will take the punishment."
Eren looked at Jean, completely surprised.
You looked at Jean, too. You wanted to tell him off, to tell him to stay out of it. But the words wouldn't come. You were grateful. So you stayed silent. Maybe it was your own cowardice that prevented you from speaking up.
Shadis looked at Jean, then at you, then back at Jean. A long, tense silence. "Good," He said finally. "A sign of leadership. Taking responsibility for your actions. Or in this case, your words. You will run extra laps until dinner, Jean." He then turned to you. "And you, Almonacid...You will go to the supply shed and get a new broom. Then you will sweep this entire area by yourself. No dinner for you. Understood?"
"Yes, Instructor," You said, your voice monotone.
Shadis nodded, then walked away, leaving the three of you in an awkward silence.
"Thanks," You muttered to Jean, not looking at him. The word tasted like ash in your mouth.
Jean just shrugged. "Don't mention it. I don't want to see a good soldier get into trouble because of Eren's big mouth. But you owe me one, bastard." He said, punching you in the arm. Not a hard punch, but it was meant to be.
Eren, however, was not having any of it. "What was that about?" He asked, turning to Jean. "Why did you just take the blame? That is nothing like you at all!"
Jean just shrugged again, a small smirk on his face. "Even a guy like me can do something right, Eren. Maybe you should try it sometime." He then walked away.
Eren was left in a state of confusion, and you took advantage of this to begin your walk to the supply shed. Alone. You had to pick up a new broom and then sweep the entire area by yourself. No dinner. The punishment was nothing. You had endured worse. But the shame...The shame was something else entirely. The weight of Annie's words, the guilt of your desires, the shame of your weakness...It all crushed you. The walk to the supply shed was a silent one. You ignored everything else until you got the broom and left in silence, then you returned to the courtyard and began to sweep.
You kept at it for a long while, the rhythmic scrape of the broom against the stone floor a small, repetitive prayer of atonement for sins you couldn't name. Each stroke was a penance. Each rustle of leaves is a reminder of your own weakness. You just kept at it, your mind a blank slate until midnight. There was no moon tonight, only a darkness that was illuminated by the few lamps of the training grounds. You had to sweep the entire area, and you were only halfway done.
But then, as you swept near the entrance of the armory, Krista came out. Her blonde hair was not as bright as usual in the dim light. She was now holding two buns and a flask, most likely from her own rations. She approached you slowly, a small, hesitant smile on her lips.
"I brought you something," She said, her voice a soft whisper that cut through the silence of the night.
You remember the first night, when Krista had asked you and Adelaide to share a bit of your rations to feed Sasha. Her smile from then was so very different from the one she had now. This one was brighter and actually warm. But even then, her expression held a hint of...something else. Concern? Guilt?
She offered you a bun. The bread was still warm. "You haven't eaten," She stated, not a question. She then offered you the flask. "And you must be thirsty."
You took the bun and the flask. The bread was soft in your hands, the flask cool against your skin. "Thanks," You said, your voice quiet. Accepting the gift even though your mind told you that you didn't deserve it. That you didn't deserve her kindness.
"I saw what happened," Krista said, her gaze fixed on the broom in your hands. "With Jean... and Eren." She paused, taking a small step closer. "What is troubling you?" She asked, her small hands holding your arm. Her concerned expression made you want to look away.
You took a bite of the bun. The sweetness of the bread filled your mouth. You swallowed, then took a drink from the flask. The water was cool. "It's nothing," You answered, not able to find a better excuse. "I'm just... thinking about something."
"...Conrad," She looked into your eyes, not quite convinced with your answer. Her other hand went to your other arm, her touch gentle. "Do you want to talk about it?" Her small frame looked up at you, her large blue eyes pleading for a confession. But you didn't answer her. You didn't trust yourself. To allow those emotions to spill out of you again. Not even to her.
'Break me.'
Your hand dropped the bread onto the ground.
She then looked at the crumbled bread on the floor and then at your face. Her face showed some sadness now. "Conrad, what is happening to you? Did I do something wrong?" She said, her own emotions beginning to get a bit more intense, her grip on your arms also becoming a bit tighter. So she thought that this was about her...that your moodiness was about her. That you were thinking about Annie...and her...and the consequences of your actions.
"Krista, it is not about you," You said, trying to reassure her. But the words came out flat. Devoid of any emotion. You didn't even believe them yourself.
"Then what is it?!" She pushed, her voice harsher and urgent, as if she could tell through all your lies the same way she had lied about herself so many times. "I can take it. I promise." And in that, she showed the crack in her emotions. A sign of her own desperation to know what was wrong with you. That same desperation you had seen in Annie. The same desperation you were feeling now. The same desperation that made you want to run away.
You stayed silent for a moment, your gaze fixed on the darkness beyond the lamps. The crumbled pieces of bread in your hand felt like a symbol of your own fragmented self. "It's..." You started, but then stopped. The words were there, but they wouldn't come out. They were stuck in your throat, a lump of shame and guilt. 'Break me,' Annie's words echoed in your mind again, a relentless accusation. You looked at Krista, her face a mask of concern, of love, of...and you reacted, with annoyance, at her forcing you to speak.
Her eyes immediately caught that shift in your expression, her eyes going wide as tears welled up in her eyes. You could see the pain. The rejection. The fear. "Don't..." She whispered, her hands releasing your arms, her shoulders slumping. "Don't look at me like that, Conrad! Don't push me away!" She shouted into the air as she started to sob, her small frame shaking.
It was those tears, those sobs that made you finally react. Not in a way you'd expected, but react nonetheless. Your mind went blank as your body moved. Your hands moved from the crumbled bread to her face, your thumbs wiping away her tears. Your desperation in that moment... it was the same desperation that had made you run after Annie, the same desperation that made you want to hold her and tell her everything would be okay. Even if you didn't believe it yourself. You pulled her into an embrace, her small frame fitting perfectly against yours, her sobs now muffled against your chest.
"I'm sorry," You whispered, your lips against her hair. "I'm so sorry, Krista." You didn't know what you were apologizing for. For breaking the bread? For hurting her? For not being able to tell her the truth? For everything? You didn't know. But the words were out.
She then stopped sobbing, her tears now reduced to small, quiet sniffles. She then looked up at you, her red eyes, tear-streaked cheeks glistening in the dim light of the lamps. A fragile, broken angel.
"You don't smell like her..." She said with a weak smile on her face. "...Annie."
That statement was not an accusation. It was a simple observation. A statement of fact. Enough to pull the truth from the pit of your stomach to the tip of your tongue. That was why your mind had been so preoccupied. You were thinking about Annie...the Annie that you had left in the shed, the Annie that had told you to break her. The Annie who had cried in your arms. The Annie who had told you to make Krista happy. The thought of that last statement made you flinch. A small, involuntary movement that Krista didn't miss.
"Yeah, I know," You said, your voice recovering its strength. "She...told me I should not talk to her ever again."
Krista's face finally relaxed as if the truth made her feel better. The truth was indeed a bitter medicine, but it was medicine nonetheless. It was a truth she could understand. A truth she could process. But then she let out a small chuckle, which you did not expect. "What?" You asked.
"Nothing," She said, a teary but playful smile now on her face. "It's just that I can't believe I like an idiot who speaks of other girls in front of me." She then punched you in the chest, not with real strength, just a small, playful jab. "You are an idiot, Conrad." The words were a mirror of Annie's, but the context was completely different. This was not a cry for help. This was a tease. A sign of affection.
You chuckled at that, too, feeling the warmth enter your heart again. "I know."
"But..." Krista's smile faded a bit, and her expression turned serious again. "I saw her face when you were injured...during the field exercise. She was so worried, I didn't believe that I was seeing the real Annie back then..." She took a breath, shaking her head. "Not just worried...Scared. I think she is in the same position as I." She then looked at your chest, where your heart was.
"The same position as you?" You asked.
Krista nodded. "She likes an idiot, too." That comment was too on point; you did not expect such a direct analogy. "Perhaps, too much more than she's willing to admit." Krista's comment was both an insight and a confession. She saw through Annie's facade, just as she had seen through her own. She saw the vulnerability. She saw the pain. She saw the love.
Krista then moved closer, her body pressing against yours. Her hands moved from your chest to your neck, her fingers tangling in your hair. "Maybe you should make her happy," She said, her words ever so soft and comforting.
"How? She won't even talk to me," You said, your hands moving to her waist. The soft fabric of her uniform was a small comfort against your skin.
Krista looked up at you, her eyes filled with a strange, almost sad, wisdom. "Then make her angry," She said. "Make her so angry that she can't help but talk to you. Make her so angry that she can't help but feel something other than sadness." Her own advice sounded a bit reckless, but it was born from a place of understanding, of a shared experience.
You leaned in and kissed her. It was a soft, gentle kiss, a silent thank you for her understanding. For her wisdom. For her love. Krista responded in kind, her lips moving against yours with a newfound urgency. The kiss deepened, and the two of you lost in the moment, lost in each other. A desperate search for comfort, for connection, for a brief escape from the harsh reality of your lives.
You then broke the kiss, a small smile on your lips. "What about you? What do you want?" You asked, your thumb stroking her cheek. You had to ask. You owed her that much.
"I want you to make her happy, Conrad," Krista said, her voice firm. "I don't want to be alone, liking the stupidest man I've ever known."
Your heart hammered against your ribs. This was not a test. This was a challenge. A challenge to be a better man. A better soldier. A better...friend.
"And..." She began with a sly smile, "...Next time you make me cry, I will make you suffer...lots and lots." Her threat was certainly a promise. And a cute but dangerous one at that.
"I am sorry," You said, and you meant it. You were sorry for everything. For the lies. For the deceit. For the pain you had caused. For the pain you were about to cause. You kissed her again, not with passion, but with a gentle, apologetic tenderness. And she accepted it.
The two of you stayed like that for a while, a silent, intimate moment in the middle of the empty training grounds. The night was cold, but her body was warm against yours. The world outside this small circle of light seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of you. The rhythmic scraping of your own broom against the cobblestones now seemed miles away.
"Go," She said, pulling away from you slightly. "Finish your punishment and don't forget what I've said." She gave you a small, playful push towards the broom you had dropped.
You nodded, a small, tired smile on your face. You picked up the broom and started sweeping again. Krista watched you for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she turned and walked away, her small figure disappearing into the darkness. You watched her go, a strange mix of emotions churning in your chest. The warmth of her kiss was still on your lips, but the cold of the night was beginning to seep back in. Those thoughts about Annie returned, but now...they were not as heavy. They were still there, still a knot of guilt and confusion, but Krista's words had loosened it. Just a little.
***
***
"You are an idiot, Conrad." She muttered to herself, a small smile playing on her lips. She walked back to the female barracks, the cold night air a welcome shock to her system. Her heart was still beating a little too fast with the ache of love and sacrifice. But there was only one person who could make her feel in such a way.
"Conrad..." She muttered again, letting the name roll off her tongue. The taste of it was both sweet and bitter. She liked it. She liked him. And she was not ashamed to admit it. But she was beginning to think that loving him would mean hurting. Maybe even getting hurt herself. The thought was not a pleasant one. But it was a risk she was willing to take. For him.
***
***
The Way to Trost
The next few days, you felt as if the confidence and passion you had been building up for years had been restored. Your clarity came back as if Krista had some sort of magical power to unscramble the complicated mess inside your head. Even with Annie not speaking to you, the ghost of her words—her vulnerability and her self-loathing—still haunted your mind. However, they no longer felt like a heavy burden, but rather a call to action. A challenge you had to face.
This clarity manifested in your training. You moved with a renewed purpose, your strikes precise, your movements fluid. You moved so fast that the dummies operated by the instructors barely had any time to move before you had already cut into the napes of their necks. You became even more of a spectacle than before, everyone taking notice of it, but you didn't care. You didn't do it for the praise. You did it for yourself. To prove to yourself that you were not weak. That you were not a coward. That you could face the challenges that awaited you, both on the battlefield and in your heart.
Even Shadis, your usually harsh instructor, seemed to notice the change. Enough that he once forgot to call off the exercise once it was reported that all dummies were destroyed. For a few minutes, the cadets were just waiting, perched against the trees. A long, intense stare. Then, he finally snapped out of it. "The training is over for today, you maggots!" He yelled, his voice ringing through the training grounds.
You stood there, breathing heavily, your ODM gear still humming. The sun beat down on you, the sweat on your skin a small price to pay for the renewed sense of self. But your mind was still preoccupied trying to solve the way through which you would try to bring back the Annie you knew. Not the one that was filled with anger and guilt. But the one that was a bit shy, a bit vulnerable, but still had that small, subtle smile that only you got to see.
So far, your only solution to make her 'angry' was to try to be close to her and, whenever she looked away, you kept staring at her. At dinner, she sat alone. You chose to sit at the table across from them, your eyes never leaving her. The conversation at your table was a background noise to the silent battle you were waging with Annie. You could feel the heat of her glare on you, a silent warning to back off. But you didn't. You wanted to give her an 'in' way for her to speak to you. For her to make a choice. To talk to you. And when she stood up to leave, you did the same. This little game of yours continued for days.
Until finally, the day of the travel to Trost came. All cadets were ready to give it their all in this last test before graduation. All cadets carried with them their own backpacks and equipment, ready for the urban training exercise.
The excitement in the air was palpable enough; everyone was cheerful, some more than others, due to being able to visit family and friends who lived in the city. The cadets marched, the sounds of their chatter and laughter filling the air.
"Eren," Mikasa's soft but firm voice came towards him, "Your mother will be happy to see you," She said, her eyes relaxed. The mention of Carla Jaeger made Eren's expression soften for a bit.
"I bet she is still as stubborn as ever," Eren said with a chuckle. "But it's going to be great to see her again...She is going to be happy to see you, too, Mikasa."
"I know," She said, her gaze softening, a small smile forming on her lips.
Eren then looked at you. "You and Emelina are always welcome, you know? Mother always asks about you two." He said with a warm smile. The offer was genuine.
"I appreciate that, Eren," You said, and you meant it. The Yeagers were good people. "It's been a while." The year you had spent in Trost as refugees had been filled with sweat and sacrifice, but also with closeness with the other families who had lost everything in Shiganshina. The Almoncids, Yeagers, and, of course, Adelaid's family, the Forsts, had all grown close. They had shared meals, stories, and the burden of survival.
"We should all have dinner together!" Eren said, his face lighting up. "My mom can make her famous stew! What do you say, Conrad? Mikasa? Armin?"
"I'd like that," Mikasa said, her small smile still on her lips.
"That sounds wonderful, Eren," You said.
"I'll see what I can do! But I think we will be busy most of the days, but I bet we ask Shadis for permission," Eren said, scratching the back of his head. He did have a soft spot for his mother, especially ever since she lost her legs. He took a moment, as if to think more about it, but then he was again distracted by the excitement.
Armin, who had been walking beside you, listening in silence, now spoke. "I guess I will finally get the chance to see my books again," He muttered to himself, looking at the sky. There was a bit of sadness in his smile, remembering how his grandfather, due to his age, had been forced into that 'recovery' expedition along with many other refugees.
Emelina, who had been walking a few steps behind you, overheard the conversation. She moved to your side, her movements fluid and confident. "I'm sure Aunt Carla will be delighted to have all of us over," She said, her warm smile reaching her eyes. "But we must be on our best behavior, brother. You know how she worries."
Before you could respond, Krista appeared at your side, her small figure a stark contrast to the tall cadets around her. She looked at you with mischievous but pleading eyes. "Conrad, are you going to visit your parents too?" She asked, her small hands grabbing your arm, this time more openly than before. After all, your mutual affections were acknowledged by the girls but not by the boys, who preferred to live under the spell of 'as long as they don't kiss in public, they are not dating'.
"We will," Emelina answered for you, her tone firm but still friendly. "I am sure my parents would love to meet all the new friends my dear brother has made," Her gaze drifted over to Krista, and a small, almost predatory smile played on her lips.
Krista returned the smile, a glint of challenge in her blue eyes. "I'd like that very much." Her full smile did not hide her intentions. The two girls then glared at each other for a moment.
Eren and Armin merely thought of it as a friendly exchange between girls, but to you? It was a battlefield you had no intention of stepping into...and besides, Krista wanted to meet your parents...That would be a little too much for your mind to process. Not that you could ever refuse her, the mere thought of her being sad made your chest ache.
"Alright! Alright! Let's not get ahead of ourselves!" Eren said, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "First, we need to get top grades on this exercise, right?" He then looked at you, a confident smirk on his face. "And then we can celebrate! Let's not lower our guards, alright?"
You let out a small laugh. "Alright, Eren. Let's do this." Then you glanced at Emelina, who gave you a small nod, her eyes lingering on Krista for a second before she looked away. Her message was clear: 'We will talk about this later.'
Meanwhile, Mikasa hid her face within her scarf after that brief interaction between you and Krista...For some reason, she always seemed a bit shy whenever the two of you were close. Yet, you couldn't and didn't want to confront her on that; after all, she could confirm everyone's suspicion with a single sentence.
The march continued, the cadets' spirits high. The sun was shining, the birds were singing. The world seemed to be at peace. But you could not fully enjoy it without making sure that Annie knew that you had not given up on her. Your gaze kept searching for her, but you couldn't find her. You didn't see her among the groups of cadets. Her blonde hair is ever so out of your reach. Your mind began to drift; did you push her too far? The thought that she might have changed her mind about you, about this whole 'game' you were playing, sent a pang of regret through your chest.
However, you had to stay strong; after all, she had to see you as someone who could stand on his own two feet, even when she was not around. You had to show her that you were not weak. Not even after she had shown you her own vulnerabilities, guilt, and secrets, and that you were ready to accept them all.
-x-X-x-
Trost District
The city welcomed you back as soldiers that would defend humanity; it was clear that the terrors of Shiganshina were still on the minds of the populace. The citizens of Trost looked at the marching cadets with a mix of admiration and fear. They saw them as heroes in the making, but also as a reminder of the fragility of their own existence. The streets were filled with the sounds of merchants, children playing, and the distant rumble of the city's daily life. A normal day in a city that lived under the constant threat of annihilation.
On the way into the city, you saw the parents of many cadets wave at them, their faces filled with a bittersweet pride. They didn't want to acknowledge the danger that their sons and daughters would be facing. Yet, for many more, there were friendly faces to welcome them; they had lost them all. In Trost, there were far too many refugees.
You were one of the lucky ones.
Your parents were there. You had not seen them for a long time. They had not changed much. Your father's hair had more gray in it, and your mother's face had more lines, but they were still the same. They stood by the side of the road, their eyes scanning the crowd of cadets. Their faces beamed upon spotting the silver hair of their children.
"Conrad! Emelina!" Your mother's voice was a welcome sound.
Emelina waved, a bright smile on her face. You, on the other hand, felt a lump form in your throat. You missed them. You missed the simple comfort of their presence. Yet, deep down, you knew that your decision was right. Griffin's journal was still tucked away in your bag, a constant reminder of your promise.
But the reunion was brief. The cadets had to keep moving. You had to keep moving. You gave your parents a quick wave, a promise of a longer reunion later. As you did, your mother pressed a small, wrapped package into your hand. You could feel the warmth radiating from it. The smell of freshly baked bread filled your nose. You knew what it was without even looking.
"Thanks," You said, your voice a bit rough. You didn't have to look at your mother to know that she was happy.
She just smiled, a single tear rolling down her cheek.
You pocketed the package and continued marching, your gaze fixed on the road ahead.
Meanwhile, Eren waved at his mother, Carla, who was sitting in a wheelchair, helped by Adelaide's parents, who were by her side. Emelina also waved at them, her warm smile a stark contrast to the stoic faces of the other cadets.
Adelaide, who had spotted her parents among the crowd, smiled radiantly at them, and they did so in return; they had forgiven her for enlisting...But they had not been ready to see their daughter with such a confident smile and in such good shape; their pride was evident.
Such was the atmosphere among the cadets and their families. It was a bittersweet moment. But, for the most part, the training was not to be interfered with by family matters. The cadets were then guided towards their assigned barracks, which were located at the fortress, the place where all the supplies and equipment were stored.
The last bits of the march were the longest. Your legs ached from the long walk, and your mind was still preoccupied with Annie's absence. But you tried to focus on the task at hand. The training that was soon to come.
***
Urban Training
You saw the dummies placed across the city, their humanoid forms a stark reminder of the enemy you were training to fight. The instructors had placed them in strategic locations, on rooftops, in narrow alleys, and even on the sides of buildings.
The cadets were then split into squadrons and given their assignments. They were either resupply, attack, defend, or restock. Each team of six had a specific role to play in the exercise. The objective was to work together to take down the "Titans" while minimizing casualties and allowing the residents to flee to safety.
Even a big shot such as Commander Pixis would be present for this exercise.
Among the cadets, you made it into one of the attack squadrons. Your squadron was made up of Eren, Jean, Mikasa, Connie, and Bertholdt; the other opposing attack team was made up of Sasha, Annie, Reiner, Marco, Adelaide, and Armin.
The goal of the squadron was to accrue points as quickly as possible; after all, nobody wanted Titans running around the city. The more you eliminate, the higher the chance of being in the top ten.
"Alright! The Titans have breached Wall Rose and are now in Trost!" Eren's enthusiastic, borderline-crazed announcement was a bit off-putting. "Let's get ready to fight and send them to hell!" He said, already getting all dangerously excited about the exercise. His bloodthirstiness for the Titans was a bit concerning to you, but you understood it. You did not share it in the same way, but you did understand it.
Jean rolled his eyes. "Calm down, Jaeger. These are just dummies."
"They might as well be real!" Eren retorted, but then the horn blew.
In that moment, you didn't think too long; instead, you ran towards the edge of one of the roofs and jumped, your body arcing through the air. The wind rushed past you, the gravity soon taking you into a downward arc. You then fired your grappling hooks, the metal anchors embedding themselves into the brick of a nearby building. The cables went taut, and you swung through the street like a pendulum.
"That's the spirit!" Eren shouted from behind you, following your lead with a slightly reckless manuever.
The rest of the squadron soon followed, their ODM gear humming as they propelled themselves through the city.
Soon, you were all moving to strike a dummy target. But it was then that the other team, surprisingly, managed to get to it first. Annie's squad. They had taken the high ground. She shot forward and, with a single, clean strike, cut the nape of the dummy's neck. The team she had with her, with Sasha and the rest, soon followed, a small, clean group of soldiers that seemed to be working with perfect coordination.
"They're fast," Jean noted, a note of grudging respect in his voice.
"Not fast enough!" Eren retorted, pushing himself even harder. Though it was Mikasa who got the next dummy and not him.
However, you decided to move fast, trying to see if you could get the next one without the other team getting there first. You saw an open dummy and rushed towards it. However, the moment your blades were about to make contact with the dummy's nape, your swords met with Annie's. The steel screeched as it clashed.
You moved back, and then remembered Krista's words to you, 'Then make her so angry that she can't help but talk to you. Make her so angry that she can't help but feel something other than sadness.' That is what Krista said, and you listened. Instead of waiting for Annie to make a move, you pushed off your cables and swung right past her, your body twisting in the air. You aimed your blades at the dummy and cut it down. A clean, efficient kill.
Then you landed gracefully on a nearby rooftop, your gaze fixed on her. You saw no emotion or expression in her face; instead, she didn't mind the lost point. She just moved on to the next dummy, but you were right behind her. Again. And again. The game of cat and mouse continued throughout the exercise. You were always one step ahead, always snatching the victory from her grasp. It was a reckless, arrogant display, but it was working. The silent tension between you was a palpable thing.
You hoped to show her that you had grown stronger yet again, not just physically, but also mentally, to still pursue her in this manner. But at the same time, you were also showing her that you were the same. The same 'idiot', as she so lovingly put it so long ago.
Finally, after taking one of the last dummies, you noticed a small clenching of her teeth. A small, almost unnoticeable tell. But it was there. She was getting frustrated. And that's what you wanted. After all, if her goal was to reach the top ten in order to join the military police, then each dummy that she did not take down was a point against her goal. Or at least that is what you thought was her goal.
"Haven't you done enough?" Annie said, her expression cold as she turned to you. "You have made your point." Her words were clipped, precise. She then tried to move past you. To get to another dummy.
But you were ready. You shot your grappling hooks, the cables whistling through the air, and propelled yourself in front of her. The move was reckless. It was arrogant. It was exactly what Krista would have wanted.
Annie's eyes widened slightly, her body tensing and then...She shot her own grappling hooks...and in the next moment, her body slammed against yours, throwing you both against a roof between two large buildings. The impact knocked the wind out of you. The rough texture of the roof scraped against your back.
You felt her weight on top of you, her body pressed against yours. You could feel the warmth of her skin through the fabric of your uniform. You could see the anger in her blue eyes, but then. You saw it; she held her blade with both hands just above your chest. Her grip was clean and tight, and the blade was aimed straight at your heart. However, that would have been too much, even for her. She stopped a few inches above your chest.
"Annie..." You started, wondering if she really would go through with it.
"Shut up," She said, her voice coarse and dangerous. Her blade was still aimed at your heart. The moment of truth had arrived.
***