When you and Mikasa made it to the dungeon, Captain Hange was already waiting for you. Her eyes were bright behind her glasses, and her expression was one of excitement. "Ah! There you are! I was wondering when you'd arrive!" She greeted you with a wide smile.
"Squad leader," You said, greeting her formally.
Mikasa simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Hange acknowledged the formality of the situation; you were on the other end of the dungeon. "Now...I have a little request to make of you both." She then pointed to a door at the end of the hallway. "I need you two to go in there and..." She paused for effect, "...comfort Reiner."
"Comfort him?" You repeated, your voice a bit incredulous.
Mikasa's reaction was more subdued, but you could see the confusion in her eyes.
"Yes," Hange nodded. "You see, we've been trying to get him to talk, but he's been putting up a wall. A literal one." She chuckled at her own joke, "It seems he has completely dissociated from his actions as the Armored Titan." She adjusted her goggles a bit. "He tried to convince Captain Levi that he is a loyal soldier of the corps...quite impressive if I do say so myself."
She continued, "But we need to break that shell he has built around himself. And that is where you come in." Her tone was cheerful, but her eyes were serious. "I want you to talk to him, remind him of the good times, of the bonds you all had. Make him remember who he was, not just who he thinks he is. You see, he is so far gone...That he might even believe you two are still his friends."
You looked at Mikasa, and she looked back at you. It was a strange request, to say the least. But it also made sense. Reiner was your friend. He was a part of your squad, yet...Your conflict must have shown on your face.
"I am not suited...for this," Mikasa outright said, her voice devoid of emotion.
You gave a nod to that, "I am the one who...was closer to him during training, Mikasa didn't spend as much time with him as I did." It was also the fact that Mikasa, right now, was too angry at Reiner to even try to comfort him. And she would not hide it from Hange. Your own anger was still there, but...if this would help get answers, you were willing to try.
Hange seemed to consider your words, as she inspected both of your faces; her own gaze lowered. Maybe, for her, this was a test to see if you could control your emotions when needed. The question was, could you? "I understand...If you can't put a friendly face...perhaps it would be better to not send you in at all...We don't want to make things worse after all." She scratched her chin, thinking. "That goes for both of you...If you feel you can't do it, you can just say so. And I will try another way."
You took a deep breath, looking at the door that led to Reiner's cell. You could imagine him there, alone, confused, and afraid. You wanted to be angry at him, but a part of you could not help but feel sorry for him. He was a victim, but so were all the people he had killed. Eren's mother...The parents of so many...Griffin...They were all victims. What sympathy did a murderer deserve? None, you thought, your heart turning to stone once more.
"I'll do it," You said, your voice firm. Mikasa looked at you, a bit surprised, but you could see a hint of respect in her eyes. "I think I can do this...For the sake of humanity."
Hange's face split into a wide grin. "That's what I like to hear!" She then patted you on the shoulder. "Go right ahead, then. And remember, be friendly...and don't forget to keep your wits about you."
You nodded and walked towards the door. As you reached for the handle, you felt a hand on your arm. You turned to see Mikasa. "Be careful," She said, her voice quiet, the seriousness of the situation still hanging over her.
"Always," You replied, a small smile on your face. She gave a nod, and you opened the door.
The dungeon was a series of stone cells, each one isolated and dark. The one at the end was where Reiner was being kept. You could hear his breathing, a bit labored and heavy. The door to his cell was thick iron, with a small, barred window.
You walked to the window and saw him sitting on the floor, his head bowed. His body was still bruised from the beatings; he had no shirt, allowing you to see the bandages wrapping his torso. Yet, he seemed...peaceful. That made you feel a bit uneasy. Anger began to rise as you watched him.
"Reiner," You said, your voice echoing in the quiet cell.
His head shot up, his eyes wide. The face of the Armored Titan stared back at you with...surprise? Or was it relief?
"Conrad?" His voice was a bit raspy, his throat dry from lack of use. He tried to stand up, but the chains held him in place. "What...what are you doing here?" He asked, confusion evident in his tone. "They've chained me up...But I am innocent..."
"Innocent?" You repeated, trying to remember Hange's words. You had to be friendly...or at least, make him think you were. But the anger was still there, bubbling just below the surface.
Reiner's eyes darted to the side, his confusion growing. "Y-yes...We've trained together, tell them that I am no traitor...I swear, I never killed anyone...I am one of you, a cadet." His words were rushed, desperate. "Why are you here?"
For a moment, you wondered if he really believed he was innocent. If he was just deluded, or if he was actually a good actor. But then, you remembered the fall of the wall, the screams of the people, Carla Yeager, the death of your comrades in battle...Griffin. This man was responsible for that. This man had killed your friend...Yet, the man in front of you...did not look like a monster. But the world had taught you that looks could be deceiving.
You took a breath and tried to calm yourself. You had to be careful here. "I am here to talk to you, Reiner." You kept your voice even. "How are you feeling?"
Reiner looked at you, his eyes searching your face. "Confused...Scared...I don't know what's happening." He then shook his head. "I...I can't remember...how I got here...Or why I am being treated like this." He then looked at you with a pained expression. "All I remember was being in Trost...then the Titans attacked...We...we tried to run..." He lied.
The memories were a complete lie from your perspective. The images of the garrison trying to hold onto the southern gate of Trost, attacking horde after horde of Titans, while you gave it your all to defend the gate...It all flashed before your eyes, especially the gory scenes of the soldiers getting eaten, their screams, their guts being devoured. It made your anger flare up again.
Karl, Malia, Erich...They had barely survived, as well, your temporary comrades, and so many more that you lost. You were about to calm yourself when one final memory, the one of losing your arm to one of the Armored's punches, flashed before your eyes.
"Enough." Your voice was cold, cutting through his words. Reiner's eyes widened, and you saw the fear return. "Don't you remember how I lost my arm, Reiner?" You leaned closer to the bars, your eyes locking with his. "Don't you remember how you...how the Armored Titan...punched it away?"
"I...I wasn't—" He began, but you cut him off.
"Were not there? Were not the one who caused so much death? So much pain?" You felt your hands grip the bars of the cell, your knuckles white. "I saw it, Reiner...I was there, and you dare to lie to my face?"
The friendly facade was gone, replaced by the cold reality of the situation. But you were not screaming, not yet...You were simply speaking the truth. A cold, hard truth.
"What kind of friend are you, huh? How could you look me in the eyes and lie like this?" The anger you felt was now directed at him, yet you had to keep your own mind in check, or you would have lost yourself to it.
Reiner's face had turned pale, his breathing quickening. "I...I..." He stuttered, his eyes darting around the cell as if looking for an escape.
"You...you are a traitor. A monster. You betrayed all of us...You betrayed me," You said, the words heavy. "Eren...Armin...Jean...All of them. You planned to kill them, didn't you?"
"That's not true!" Reiner suddenly yelled, his voice filled with a desperate denial. "I am no traitor! I...I fought to protect them all!" His voice was cracking, as his tears began to well up in his eyes. "I did everything for them..."
You felt a twist in your gut at his words, his delusions...they were so real to him. But you could not let the anger subside, you then felt a hand on your shoulder, and you turned to see Mikasa. Her face was as stoic as ever, but her eyes held a fierce anger.
"Let's go, Conrad," She said, her voice calm but firm. "There is nothing more to be said to him."
You looked back at Reiner, eyes completely set on the ground, trapped in his own mind. You could not help but feel a pang of...something. Pity? Regret? You were not sure. But you knew that you could not stay here any longer. You had tried, and you had failed.
You let go of the bars and turned away. Mikasa's hand was still on your shoulder, a silent support. The two of you walked out of the dungeon. Hange looked at the two of you with disappointment; her plan hadn't worked.
As the iron door closed behind you, you finally felt a bit of relaxation. But the sight of Reiner in that state, the pain in his eyes, and his desperate words...They stayed with you. You were not sure what you felt, but it was not relief, nor joy.
"Hmph...That is too bad..." Hange sighed, her hand moving to her chin. "I guess he is really far gone." Her eyes then moved to you, "What do you think, Conrad? How broken do you think he is?"
"I don't know..." You said, your mind a bit fuzzy from the encounter.
"Well...There is still some hope...Perhaps." Her gaze then turned distant, and she tapped her forehead, "Oh! That's right...Get ready for tonight, you are dismissed for now. Commander Erwin will be arriving soon."
Mikasa and you nodded, and you began to walk away from the dungeon. Hange turned to Moblit, who had been standing quietly next to her. "Get me the files of the other cadets, I need to start finding out if someone could get through to him...We need to know who the Colossal is, and we are running out of time."
Moblit nodded, "Yes, captain."
The reality of the situation was that the investigation was not going well. No clues as to the Colossal titan, perhaps, the other investigation would prove more fruitful than this one. Hange sighed once more. Maybe she needed to use more forceful methods of interrogation...or perhaps, that was more of a job for their best soldier.
She thought of Levi and shivered a bit. Even she did not want to be on the receiving end of his...tactics.
-x-X-x-
***
You were left with Mikasa once more, and the silence between you was not awkward, but it was heavy. You were both thinking about what had happened, what Reiner said, and how you had both responded.
"He looked lost," Mikasa finally said, her voice quiet.
You nodded, agreeing. "But I don't know if it was real...It all felt like an act."
Mikasa's gaze moved to you, her eyes softening a bit. "You did well...to keep your emotions in check." She then placed a hand on your chest, right over your heart. "But I know you are angry...I am too."
Her touch was light, but the warmth of her hand was unmistakable. It felt good, calming. "I...I don't know what to think," You admitted. In reality, it was far easier to fight against the Armored Titan than to try to understand the human inside. "The Reiner I knew...was a good guy, but I also remember what he has done...I can't just forgive him."
Mikasa's fingers curled a bit, gripping the fabric of your uniform. "No one expects you to forgive him...I don't think even Eren can forgive him." Her eyes then turned to the sky, which had now turned a dull gray. "I...am here if you need me," She said, her voice a bit softer, her eyes lowering as her body seemed a bit more relaxed and in need of someone to lean on. It was the closest she would come to asking for comfort.
"If you ever need to talk, or..." She hesitated for a moment, her cheeks flushing slightly. "...Relief. I'll be here." She couldn't deny that even after the bad taste of what just happened, the lust within her remained, the desire to be with you. It overwhelmed her other emotions. Perhaps, it had always been like this; the emotions she could control never went away, and only added onto her hidden desires.
But you weren't sure if the situation was the best for that...But her eyes, her lips, the way she was looking at you...It was hard to resist. Yet, there was a need to have at least a little bit of restraint.
You gently took her hand that was on your chest and gave it a soft squeeze. "Thank you...I'm glad to have you." You then let go and stepped back a bit, creating some distance between you two. "But...maybe we should focus on the task for now. The special guests are coming, after all."
Mikasa's eyes showed a hint of disappointment, but she quickly masked it. She gave a small nod, her expression returning to its usual stoic self. "You're right...we have a duty to attend to...I've just never been this hungry for it..." Her lips were tight, but they still made you lean in to kiss her. Her soft lips met yours, and you savored the taste of her for a moment before pulling away. Her breathing was just a bit heavy.
"Aah..." She gasped, lips left open as you immediately saw her nipples harden through the white shirt. Her lustful face turned to a more...victorious one.
You remembered your morning thoughts about Historia, Adelaide, and Annie; you need to speak to her about it. But the way Mikasa's blush was spreading across her cheeks, the way her eyes begged for you...It made it almost impossible to think of denying her. Yet, you also knew she would be angry if you were to say it right now.
But Mikasa, she seemed to read your mind, or at least feel the shift in your intentions. "Go ahead and say it," She said, her voice confident.
"Say...what?" You asked, pretending you did not know what she was talking about.
Her fingers moved to your neck, tracing the outline of your skin. "The words that are lingering on your tongue," She said, her voice low and seductive.
You felt your own face heat up, and a small smile formed on your lips. "Mikasa...I am...I am sorry..." You began, your own fingers touching her neck. "I can't give you all of me...Not yet...I love Historia, Annie, and Addie too..." You saw a flicker of hurt in her eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. Her hand moved from your neck to your cheek, her touch gentle.
"I know," She said simply. "I can see it in your eyes...And I can feel it in the way you move." She then took a step closer, her body pressing against yours. "But that does not change what I feel...If those three have to share you, then...why can't I?" Her voice was steady, her eyes locked on yours. "I want you, Conrad...And I will fight for what I want."
Fight was a strong word, but coming from Mikasa, it was more of a promise. She was not asking you to choose...she was demanding her place among the girls you loved. It was a bit strange, almost domineering...but it was so Mikasa that you couldn't help but be attracted to it. But then, you suddenly felt a tinge of fear within you.
"Let me make this...crystal clear." Her hands caressed your hair, her fingers playing with the strands. "Annie, Addie, Krista...Whatever you wish to call her...They won't take me away from you. Neither will I take them from you. I may not be very feminine or...as enticing as them, but I am your soldier...and you are mine." Her voice was filled with a possessive love that made your heart race. "You can be their hero, their lover...But you are my man."
The words were said with a calm, almost unnerving confidence. Mikasa was not one to back down from what she wanted, and right now, she wanted you...And she would fight whoever she needed to fight to keep you.
"I don't want to hurt them," You said, a bit worried.
"You won't," Mikasa replied, her fingers now moving to trace your jawline. "I...I can resist my desire for a bit longer...Until things are more settled, I will not do anything that could cause issues." She then moved her hand to the back of your head, pulling you in for another kiss. This one was more passionate, more needy. Her tongue sought yours, and you felt the heat in your body rise once more. The kiss broke, and she looked at you with a determined gaze. "I can wait...But not for long. Understand?"
You could only nod, feeling a mix of emotions. You were not sure what you were getting into, but one thing was certain...You did not want to let Mikasa go. You loved the other three, but Mikasa was something different. Perhaps it was her strength, her ferocity...or maybe, it was just her. She was a woman who knew what she wanted and was not afraid to take it.
You nodded again. "I understand...I'll talk to them, and we will work it out."
She gave a satisfied hum, her lips curving into a small smile. "Good..." Then she took a step back, letting her hands fall from you. "But if tonight...we end up alone...I can't guarantee I'll hold back," She warned, her eyes darkening with desire.
You swallowed, the image of you and her, alone in the night...It made your blood run hot. "I...I'll keep that in mind."
She gave a final, lingering look before turning and walking away. Her hips swayed with each step, a subtle display that seemed to say 'you can look, but you can't touch...not yet.' It was a challenge, a promise, and a tease all at once.
You watched her go, your mind racing. Things had certainly taken an unexpected turn...but as you began to think more clearly, you realized that perhaps...it was not a bad thing at all. But you couldn't deny that Mikasa's energy was able to pull your thoughts away from the whole mess that was Reiner and his confession...For now, you had a moment of peace. It was that kind of peace that you've felt with Adelaide, Historia, and Annie.
But for now, you had to focus on the task at hand. You had a reunion to attend to. You straightened your uniform and began walking towards the main building of the old headquarters. As you walked, you felt a sense of anticipation. Who were these special guests that Hange spoke of? What did they want? And how would it all affect you and the rest of the Survey Corps?
You would find out soon enough.
-x-X-x-
The rest of the day was spent preparing, leaving your thoughts to handle not just one, but four girls and all the matters related to them. As well as the thoughts about Reiner and what the military police would do to him. The sun had now begun to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The old headquarters looked almost beautiful in the golden light, the stones of the buildings glowing.
It was then that you saw the arrival of the rest of the Survey Corps, led by none other than Commander Erwin Smith. The large man was riding on a horse, his expression as calm as ever. Behind him were the other members of the Corp, in particular, new ones. Your eyes scanned the group, and immediately, you spotted the faces of Armin, Eren, Marco, and Jean. You could not help but feel glad that they were here.
Eren's eyes met yours, and he gave you a wave, a grin spreading across his face. You returned the wave with a nod, and Armin, Marco, and Jean followed suit. You then felt a sense of relief. These were your friends, your comrades in arms ...and you were glad to see them here. Out of them, Jean seemed the most reluctant to be here. Most likely having second thoughts about joining the Survey Corps after all.
Behind them, you spotted Connie, Sasha, and Mina Carolina, all wearing the green cloaks of the Survey Corps, and it seemed that the latter two were sharing a laugh over something that Connie was doing. It was nice to see that some of the levity was still there.
Finally, you spotted Adelaide, Historia, and Annie, all of them together. Addie was smiling at you, her blonde hair shining in the fading sunlight, while Historia and Annie were talking to one another. Historia brushed her hair with her fingers before tucking it behind her ear, her eyes meeting yours for a moment before she gave you a bright smile. Annie was more stoic, yet she still softened her gaze when she saw you. The way her blue eyes seemed to relax made you smile.
Then there were a few more members; however, not all of them were familiar to you. You recognized a few, such as Daz, the red-headed soldier, but others were strangers. But they all had the look of soldiers, the look of people who had made a choice. The same choice you had made. A choice that would change their lives forever.
As the members of the Survey Corps began to dismount and the horses were taken to the stables, you walked over to Eren and the others. "Glad to see you made it," You said, your tone light.
"Of course I made it!" Eren said, his voice full of confidence. "Hope, I didn't make you wait too long!" He then punched your arm playfully. "That's for going ahead without saying a word."
You chuckled, giving his shoulder a shove. "I didn't know I would be here...It just...happened." Though you did want news from the refugees. Your parents, Eren's mother, and how they were doing, if things were getting better or worse. "How are the refugees doing?"
Eren's smile faded a bit, and he looked at Armin, who was the one to answer. "Things are...a bit better," He said, his voice quiet. "They've been getting more food, and the living conditions are improving...but it's still not easy. There are a lot of people there, and we haven't recovered Trost yet." He seemed to think for a moment. "All of this because of the Colossal and Armored..." He tightened his hand into a fist, anger clear in his eyes.
Jean, who had been listening, sighed. "...I hope my parents can go back to the house once the Titans are gone..." He said, looking at the ground. "I don't think they can handle being in a refugee camp for long."
"...We are all fighting to recover our homes...It is just a matter of when we will get there...not if," Marco added. The freckled man looked determined as he spoke, his words filled with confidence and reassurance. Both his family and his girlfriend, Victoria, were affected by the loss of Trost.
Armin nodded, "I'm sure...once we defeat the Titans, everything will go back to normal."
The determination that Armin spoke with was a welcome sound, but the doubt lingered in all of your minds. Doubt that was broken by Marco. "As long as Conrad, Mikasa, and Emelina keep being the best soldiers..." He then grinned. "Then there is no reason we can't win this war. We have some pretty amazing comrades."
Eager to get his mind away from his worries and onto his own goals, Eren nodded. "That's right!" Then he grinned, before he looked around trying to spot someone. "Where is Mikasa?" Eren asked you.
"She's inside...getting the last few things prepared," You replied, trying not to let on what happened between you two earlier today and the day before.
Eren seemed satisfied, "I shall go help her then!" And just like that, the energetic cadet walked into the headquarters.
Jean just shook his head. "Always running around..." But then, a small smile formed on his face. "...Heh, it's almost a bit nostalgic...Seeing you guys here." The tall, long-haired soldier seemed more comfortable; his usual smug demeanor was not entirely present.
Marco gave his own smile and nodded to that sentiment. Then Armin turned towards the new arrivals. "We need to make a good first impression..." Then his own eyes spotted the three special people you cared about the most. He decided that a quick withdrawal by following Eren was a wise idea. "Let's...let's get ready."
The other boys nodded. You saw Petra and Oluo already approaching, and they seemed eager to greet the newcomers.
But you were left with Jean, who gave you a pat on the shoulder. "You better keep an eye out, man...There is going to be some trouble tonight, with the way things are..." The tall boy sighed as the freckled one moved past the two of you and joined up with the other new arrivals.
Finally, the three most important people in your heart arrived, with Historia being the first to hug you tightly. The short blonde-haired woman was all smiles as she hugged you and gave a peck on your cheek. "Conrad...You are finally with us," She said, her eyes shining with delight and her voice full of happiness. "We were waiting for this for quite some time now, haven't we?"
You returned her hug and smiled at the small, energetic blonde. Her happiness was almost contagious; the warmth that emanated from her made you relax a bit.
Addie, of course, couldn't have Historia keeping you all for herself and immediately latched onto your other side. The baker's daughter had always had the ability to melt you with just her touch, her soft hands wrapping around your arm, holding you tight against her. Making a point by having her breasts press into your bicep.
"You shouldn't have left without saying anything! I was worried! If Annie didn't tell us, I would have thought you were hurt!" The blonde girl pouted a bit, her eyes looking up at you with a hint of worry. Then her voice dropped to a softer tone. "But if you were hurt...I would have taken care of you."
She was clearly teasing you, the way her eyes were looking at you with playful affection and a bit of mischief. It was her way of saying that she would be there for you, no matter what.
Finally, Annie, who had been quiet, surprised you by joining in the hug on your left arm. Although her breasts weren't as noticeable as Addie's, she did close quite the distance with you. No longer hiding the affection she had for you. She was usually not as overt as the other two, but the way she wrapped her arms around your arm and leaned her head on your shoulder spoke volumes.
"Good job out here." Her tone was a little more neutral than that of the two girls hugging you, but her body language and her soft touch were more telling of her own feelings.
Historia was quick to take notice of Annie's closeness to you, a small grin forming on her face. The petite blonde girl seemed pleased, almost as if it were an expected reaction. "It is so nice to see Annie finally getting comfortable...It feels nice." Historia giggled, making a show of pressing her head against your chest.
"It does..." Annie murmured in response, not moving her head, and instead pressing it against your own. "But...We are still soldiers," She said, deciding that the affection was too much for public spaces. Yet the fact that she didn't let go of your hand was more of an intimate display.
"Right," Addie nodded and let go as well. But the warmth of the three of them remained on you.
The situation made you smile, and you couldn't help but give all of them a quick peck on the forehead before you pulled them in a bit closer for a group hug. "It is really good to see all of you," You said, feeling a sense of contentment that only they could bring you.
The three girls returned the embrace, each of them holding onto you tightly. It was a moment of comfort and reassurance, a moment that you wished could last longer. But it was short-lived, as the sound of the other Survey Corps members and the new recruits broke the silence.
"It seems the commander will be giving us all a briefing soon," You said, and the three of them nodded.
"We should go then...We don't want to be late on our first day as Survey Corps members." Historia's eyes were a mix of nerves and excitement. It made you wonder, was it really a good decision for you to have brought all three girls to join? You would need to be on guard for the dangers of being in this squad. And that thought brought you back to reality as your gaze turned serious. "Let's go," You told them and led the way.
Though, as you walked back to the main headquarters, you did notice the gazes of so many other cadets and survey corps veterans that you couldn't help but think that maybe you would get a kind of reputation...But that was a concern for later. You still remembered what you had told Mikasa, that you would need to tell them...Their reactions would be a bit worrying. And you felt that there was a chance it would be brought up sooner or later...For now, you had a mission to focus on.
-x-X-x-
The rest of the Survey Corps was already gathered in the main hall of the old headquarters. You saw Commander Erwin, standing tall and proud, his expression stoic and serious. His eyes moved over the room as if assessing everyone present. The other veterans were also there, Squad Leaders Hange and Michael, as well as the other members of their squads.
Your own squad was also present, with Mikasa, Petra, Oluo, and the other elites standing at the front. They looked confident and experienced, their expressions hard and ready for the mission ahead.
"Soldiers," Erwin began, his voice echoing in the large room, gaining everyone's attention. "We have gathered here today to discuss the plan for our next operation." He paused for a moment, letting the words sink in. "As you all know, we have captured a traitor, Reiner Braun...the Armored Titan." There was a murmur of surprise and anger from the crowd, but Erwin continued, raising his hand to silence them. "This is a great victory for us, one we should be proud of." He said, eyes glancing towards your direction and then Mikasa's, who was standing next to him, along with Levi, whose presence seemed a bit more intense as well, as if daring someone to say something bad about what his squad accomplished.
"However," He said, "Our job is not done. There is still the mystery of the other titan...The Colossal Titan, and the person behind them." He then pointed out a map behind him that depicted Trost and the area around it. "Our mission will be twofold...We must secure Reiner's transport to the royal capital, where he will stand trial...But at the same time..." He looked back at all of the new cadets who were now part of the Corps, and his tone shifted, a bit softer but no less commanding.
"Your task, new recruits, will be to continue the efforts in Trost. We need to seal the wall, and we will aid the garrison in these efforts. We cannot afford to have a second breach."
You could see the new recruits exchanging glances; some looked nervous, others determined, and a few looked outright scared. You couldn't blame them; it was a daunting task, but you knew that you were ready. You had done this before, after all.
Erwin then finished, "That is all...Dismissed." And with that, most of the survey corps began to disperse, while the new recruits were left to gather with their squads. However, Captain Levi walked over to you, with Mikasa and Emelina following close behind.
"Conrad," He said, his gray eyes staring right at you. "Come with me."
You nodded, glancing at the girls you were leaving behind; their gazes held a hint of worry and curiosity. You gave them a reassuring smile, promising them that you'd talk later. He took you to a corner of the main hall, where you were kept waiting until finally, the special guests of the Survey Corps made themselves known. First, the Garrison, a bald man with a very thick mustache, who was clearly identified as Commander Pixis. He arrived with Rico Brzenska, the one who had helped you at the Walls and gave you advice on how to behave at the ball. The Commander gave you a satisfied glance at noticing you here, clearly remembering the ball at Lord Garnis's castle. He didn't say anything as of yet, but his smile told you he was pleased that you had chosen to be here.
Then, members of the Military Police Brigade walked in. A man with short black hair and a bit of a sinister look to him, his small grey eyes meeting your own with a hint of suspicion. You couldn't recognize him, but he seemed to know you.
Captain Levi noticed your confusion and decided to introduce himself. "That is Nile Dok, Commander of the Military Police Brigade." His tone was neutral.
Nile didn't say anything, but his eyes moved to you, and then back to Erwin. "You've done well to capture the titan...I hear that these three were the ones that defeated it?" He asked, his voice deep and serious.
"That is correct," Erwin replied, his own tone neutral.
Nile nodded. "I see...Do you think that Reiner is secure here? I have orders to bring him back for questioning...and for his punishment."
You felt a sense of unease, remembering the state that Reiner was in and the words that he had said to you. It was obvious that he was not in the right state of mind...But you did not dare to speak.
"We can assure you that he will be safe with us," Levi interjected, his voice as sharp as his gaze. "We have him secured and kept on guard at all times...and are you sure you can handle someone like him?" There was a challenge in his tone, as if he was testing the military police's capabilities.
Nile was not intimidated. "We have dealt with criminals before...I am sure we can handle one boy."
The tension between the two was thick; you could almost feel the animosity that they had for one another. Pixis, however, stepped in before things escalated.
"I am sure that both of your troops are capable," He said, his voice calm and friendly. "But perhaps it would be best if the Survey Corps keeps him for now...After all, they have more experience with titans."
Nile seemed to ponder this, his eyes shifting between the three of you. "Hrm...Perhaps..." He was clearly considering the risk of bringing the Armored to Mithras, but he was not willing to show weakness to either Erwin or Levi. Finally, he spoke. "Before any transit to the capital, I suppose the Survey Corps can prepare the city for any...eventuality...in the case of transport." Then, he looked directly at Erwin and Levi, his tone a bit more formal. "We expect a full report and any information he can provide before he is moved."
"Of course, commander." Erwin's response was immediate, and he bowed a bit in agreement.
Nile seemed surprised, but satisfied, with Erwin's quick agreement. He nodded, but then Commander Pixis raised his hand and, with a cheerful voice, said, "Regarding the sealing of the gate of Trost...We will need the help of some of the more experienced Survey Corps members." His eyes then shifted to you, Mikasa, and Emelina. "...While we have cut down the numbers of the Titans significantly, any time a wandering Titan comes near the Gate, we must halt all repair efforts. If we can keep the work going around the clock...It will mean that we can seal it in a couple of weeks instead of months."
Erwin pondered this for a moment, then looked at Levi. "Your thoughts, captain?"
Levi looked at Pixis, then back at Erwin, his eyes showing a bit of irritation at having to stay in Trost. "If we must," He said, his voice cold. "But I would prefer to keep these three and most of my squadron ready for the transit of the prisoner."
"I agree," Erwin replied, turning to Pixis. "But we also understand the importance of sealing the gate...So we will send Captain Mike with veteran squadrons to assist you in the effort." His tone was diplomatic, but there was no room for argument.
Nile, who had been quiet, now spoke up again. "It seems you are in agreement...But I would like to see the prisoner myself, to confirm that he is indeed secure."
Levi's eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Erwin nodded. "Of course...It would be best to show you the measures we have in place."
It was a clear power move, one that Nile wanted to make, and you felt a bit of tension in the air. But the commander of the Survey Corps did not show any signs of discomfort or doubt. He simply turned to you. "Conrad, Mikasa, and Emelina...You are dismissed for now."
You nodded and turned to leave, with Mikasa and Emelina following. As you walked away, you could hear Levi and Erwin leading Nile towards the dungeons where Reiner was being kept. You could not help but wonder what would happen and if Reiner was still in the same state as before.
You hoped he wasn't for his own sake. Regardless, the rapid nature of the meeting made you wonder if there was something unsaid or if there was a rush behind the actions of the Military Police. But you shook the thought away; it was not your concern for now. You had your own tasks to stick to, still, not being able to help with the operation at Trost was a bit frustrating.
But you also realized that the most dangerous parts of the operation were over. You had faced the Armored Titan and won, and now all you had to do was make sure that he was transported safely...And that the gate was sealed. A simple enough task, considering the circumstances. However, with the Colossal Titan still out there, you knew that the Survey Corps' job was far from over.
-x-X-x-
The evening air clung to you like a shroud as you stepped outside. Sun had already surrendered, leaving behind a silver glow that painted the old headquarters in ghostly tones. Moonlight touched the ancient stones, revealing every crack and fissure in the aging masonry. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath, a fragile peace that felt like a lie.
Your mind kept returning to the words you'd exchanged with Mikasa earlier that day. A promise you'd made to talk with Adelaide, Krista, and Annie now felt like lead in your stomach. The truth, though simple enough in your own heart, had become an impossibly tangled knot in your mind.
What you felt for Mikasa wasn't some passing fancy or momentary impulse...or at least, that is what you wanted to believe. It was something raw and undeniable, a pull that you knew you'd fight for. Yet, the same was true for the others. How could you balance this without hurting them all? Mikasa's confidence was both comforting and terrifying. She'd said she was willing to share you, but you knew how fiercely she cared. Historia had never been possessive, her love more open and playful, while Adelaide's sweetness hid a sharp edge when she thought she wasn't enough. Annie... she kept her walls so close to the heart that it made it harder to figure out her thoughts about sharing you, and yet, the fact that she had even entertained the idea meant something.
The path ahead blurred as thoughts tangled like threads in your mind. Emelina had vanished like smoke, leaving only Mikasa's steady presence behind. You hardly registered her approach until the sound of her boots on packed earth matched your rhythm, a constant anchor in your inner turmoil.
"To see them, I assume." Her voice cut through your haze, low and curious. Her dark eyes held that intensity she saved only for you. "Adelaide, Krista, Annie...they're waiting." It wasn't a question, but a statement of fact that hung between you in the moonlit chill.
"I have to tell them," you confirmed, your own voice barely audible above the night sounds. "Everything." The word felt too heavy for the air.
Mikasa's expression softened at your admission, though uncertainty still shadowed her features. "You think you can?" The question held no accusation, only a fragile undercurrent of hope. She let her fingers brush against yours, so briefly you might have imagined it, a touch meant to steady you.
You fought to swallow past the lump in your throat. "I have to try." The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable; it was pregnant with everything left unsaid. She had claimed her place so confidently, while you wrestled with guilt. Was this the difference between you? That she could speak her desires so plainly while you drowned in them?
Suddenly, she halted, turning to face you fully. Her hands gripped the collar of your jacket, pulling you closer until you could feel her knuckles against your chest. Your body tensed at the suddenness of it all.
"Something's wrong." It wasn't a question, but an observation sharp enough to cut through any lie you might have offered. Her gaze was direct, unyielding.
"There are many things that are wrong right now...Aren't they?" You steadied yourself, looking into her piercing black eyes. "I don't believe this is wrong," you said, lifting a hand to trace the line of her jaw. The softness of her skin beneath your fingertips sent a quiet shiver through both of you. "But I'm afraid they'll hate me for saying so."
For once, Mikasa's armor slipped completely. A rare shift of something vulnerable crossed her face. "They care for you as deeply as I do." Her voice was softer than you'd expected, almost tentative. "But I...I don't regret claiming my place at your side."
Her fingers slid down your chest, finding their place on your shoulders. You didn't resist when she pulled you toward her; the kiss she gave you as gentle as it was demanding. Her mouth met yours with a fervor that made you forget everything else, the doubts, the guilt, the looming conversation...in that moment, only she existed.
When she broke the kiss, her lips hovered near yours, teasing them; it was a reminder of how her body felt beneath yours. The night was dark, the air was cold, but you were on fire.
"Better now? Good...Go talk to them." Her smirk was playful now, but there was a lingering heat behind her eyes that made you ache.
With that, she stepped back, watching as you turned toward the barracks, every step heavier than the last. The three girls who were waiting for you weren't just your lovers; they were friends, comrades in a war-torn world. How would they see you when this night was over?
Your body still thrummed with the ghost of Mikasa's kiss as you pushed open the door to the barracks room. The soft glow of a lantern on the table painted shadows dancing on stone walls, catching the gleam of three pairs of eyes as they turned toward you. Adelaide's emerald ones held a welcoming warmth that had yet to fully extinguish the embers of concern. Historia's sapphire gaze danced with mischief, her lips already curved into that knowing little smirk that could unravel your resolve before you'd spoken a single word.
And there, in the circle of lamplight, sat Historia draped across Annie's lap, her slender fingers combing through a strand of that pale blonde hair. The sight wasn't entirely new—these two had forged an unexpected bond—but the intimacy of the gesture tonight, the way Annie's hands rested naturally at Historia's waist, sent a different kind of current through you.
"Took you long enough," Adelaide said, her voice a soft melody that held an edge. Her head tilted, a question hanging in the air even before she'd framed it. "Is everything alright?"
Annie remained silent, her gaze a scalpel. She dissected every flicker of emotion that crossed your face, cataloging the slight tension in your shoulders, the lingering heat in your cheeks. Historia, meanwhile, held your eyes captive, a fox with its paw on a particularly tempting berry. She already knew. The little imp had likely known before you did.
You closed the door, the sound a small, definitive click in the quiet room. "There's... something we need to talk about." Your voice was a rasp in your own ears. You forced your gaze to shift between them: Historia's playful expectation, Annie's cool assessment, and Adelaide's veiled anxiety.
Before you could find the right words, Historia spoke, her voice a silken ribbon woven with amusement. "You and Mikasa finally did it, didn't you?" The bluntness of it, delivered with such an innocent smile, stole the air from your lungs. She said it as if commenting on the weather, a simple, observed fact.
A choked sound escaped Adelaide. Her mouth, open in surprise, snapped shut, then bloomed into a slow, disbelieving laugh. "Honestly, Krista!" she chided, but her eyes shone with a complicated mix of shock, a flicker of something possessive, and... acceptance.
She turned her full, intense attention back to you, her hand settling on the curve of her hip. "I... didn't know for sure," Adelaide confessed, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But I'm not an idiot, Conrad. I've seen the way you look at her. And the way she looks at you when she thinks no one's watching... Especially after our... display in the infirmary...She looked at you way more after that..."
A flicker of unease finally managed to pierce Adelaide's bemusement. She glanced from Historia's untroubled face back to yours. "But... how can you be so okay with this?" she asked, the question directed at Historia. Her worry was a tangible thing, a crack in the fragile harmony they'd built around you.
Historia's smile bloomed in the lantern light, soft as moon petals, her hands draped over Annie's shoulders. "Because...it makes him happy," she said, her voice a whisper that curled around Addie like smoke. "Isn't that what matters?" She tilted her head, a cascade of blonde spilling over her shoulder as she studied the baker's daughter. Her blue eyes held a depth that made Adelaide's cheeks warm. "Addie...we discussed this already, didn't we?" Then her gaze shifted to Annie. "And I know Annie agrees..." The words were a statement, not a question, threaded with an authority that didn't quite match her delicate frame.
Annie's brow arched in challenge, though the corner of her mouth twitched. "Conrad..." she began, adjusting her posture, letting Historia's weight settle more fully against her. "Did I not satisfy your urges when we were together?" Her words dripped with sarcasm, but beneath them lay something darker, something that felt like she'd been cheated.
You shook your head, stepping further into the room. "This isn't about satisfaction," you managed, finding your voice at last. "It's not a comparison. It's..." You faltered, the words you'd practiced feeling flimsy now, hollow under the weight of their shared stares.
"It's about the fact that I...care," you finished, the confession feeling heavier than you'd anticipated.
The air in the room shifted. Historia's laughter, clear and bright, shattered the growing tension. "Oh, he's going to make me cry with that one...Well then..." She rose from Annie's lap with a fluid grace, closing the small distance between you. Her finger traced the line of your jaw, a touch as light as a feather that nonetheless made your skin sing. "If it's about care...Then I care for you enough to let you do...whatever you need." She glanced over her shoulder, her smirk playful. "Just as long as you don't hide it from us...Like...Never do it behind closed doors, understood?"
There was a playful challenge in her eyes, one that both comforted and unnerved you. Historia had a way of making even the most chaotic arrangement feel like it was her idea, a grand, adventurous game where everyone was a willing participant. "You promised to make us all happy...and give us five kids each! Wait..right," Historia began to count with her fingers up to the new number of twenty, while Adelaide's face went completely red, and then her eyes became cloudy with confusion. "...Conrad...did I do it right?"
"You're... okay with me...being with Mikasa?...All of you?" You had to hear it, needed the certainty, the promise that the ground wouldn't simply swallow you whole where you stood. You turned to Annie, her ice blue gaze unreadable, then to Adelaide, whose green eyes brimmed with a storm of emotions you couldn't yet untangle.
Annie, still lounging in the wooden chair, crossed her legs and leaned back, exuding an air of detached nonchalance that couldn't quite hide the sharpness in her eyes. "Did it have to be her, Conrad?" Annie's tone was neutral, but her voice showed the rivalry that lay beneath it. "I won't stop you, but...I hope you don't think that she is any more deserving than we are." There was a barb beneath the velvet of her words, and you knew her well enough to recognize the slight hint of... not anger, but something close to it...something born of the deep well of insecurity she kept hidden behind a wall of ice.
Adelaide, her usual softness replaced with a quiet determination, stood. "If Historia is fine with it," she said slowly, measuring her words, "and you swear to be honest...then so am I. Just promise me one thing..."
You held her gaze, the promise feeling like a tether keeping you anchored.
She took a deep breath, as if drawing strength from the very air. "...Be honest with yourself. And if you love her..." Adelaide swallowed, her voice softening, "...just... love me...just as fiercely when I'm with you."
Her vulnerability struck you more sharply than any argument could have. You nodded, your chest tight with a swell of emotion. "I swear."
Historia clapped her hands together, the sound almost startling. "Then that's settled!" she declared, her voice ringing with finality. "This...is our new normal. One hero... and his four..." she shot a mischievous glance at Annie, who was still looking at you with an intensity that could melt iron, "...or is it three now?"
"Four," Annie corrected, her lips curling into a slow, wicked smile that held a possessive edge.
"Four, yes!" Historia agreed with an unflappable cheer. She walked over to where Adelaide stood, sliding her arm through the blonde girl's. "We should welcome Mikasa to our little...club, don't you think?" The way she said it, with a gleam in her eye, made it sound less like an invitation and more like a declaration of war... one you were eager to lose.
You stood there, caught in the orbit of these three remarkable, terrifying women, the absurdity of it all washing over you. This wasn't a battle strategy; this was your life, a tangled web of love, lust, and loyalties you were navigating without a map. But looking at them... at their strength, their complicated acceptance... You felt a surge of determination. You would make this work.
And then Mikasa stepped inside. She had heard enough of what was happening. Her face was expressionless, but the intensity in her dark eyes spoke volumes as she assessed the tableau before her: Adelaide linked with Historia, Annie watching you like a hawk, and you, caught in the center of it all. "So it is decided." Her voice was quiet, but it cut through the room with the same force as a blade.
An almost imperceptible tension left Mikasa's shoulders, a subtle unclenching of a fist you hadn't seen she'd been making. She moved towards the others, not with hesitation, but with the same unwavering resolve she showed on the battlefield.
The moment felt charged, as if the air itself were humming, as four gazes met over you in silent, complicated agreement. Then Mikasa smiled at the other women, especially Annie, where her gaze stood in a duel of fire for a moment, and just said, "I can accept this..." A small chuckle followed her words as she glanced at you. "...Just know that I will strive to be your first...No matter what." She didn't clarify if it meant in battle, or in life...or perhaps something more primal. But it was a claim. A line drawn.
"Hey! What is with that attitude, Mikasa!" Adelaide complained.
Annie stood up, now having to deal with Mikasa at her side. But her gaze softened, "Don't get too cocky." There was respect between them, one forged by their own prowess in the cadet corps...Yet you felt they would have some issues working together for a while.
"Ah...I am feeling the flames of rivalry!" Historia commented, a hint of glee on her lips as the two looked at one another. "This is a good development...I do like strong women who know what they want!"
Addie sighed, a hand rubbing her face as the tension became a little too real. "...Are you both seriously trying to compete? And I thought Eren and Jean were bad..."
Then Annie clasped her hands around your chest and arm, claiming it in a not-so-dissimilar way to how Adelaide did earlier, "I guess even a devil like you deserves to be loved..." Annie mused, her head now resting against you. "I want to see what makes her so special, but I know you like her for...more than her ability to fight."
Mikasa simply let out a huff, almost as if she felt it unnecessary to defend her worth in your eyes. But you could see a flicker of pride in her gaze. "...All that matters is that I get to see a side of Conrad...that only I get to see, right?".
"Quite the possessive one," Historia teased.
The feeling of Annie's body against you and Mikasa's almost possessive glare made your thoughts shift from the stress of the conversation to something else entirely. But you still needed to address this, especially now, with all four women present, each claiming you in their own unique way.
"Look...This is not a competition..." You began, but then saw Mikasa's stare grow a bit colder.
"She has a point," She retorted. "If I had not acted when I had the chance, who knows what would've happened?" The answer was obvious...You were not willing to deny it to her. "We are fighting against titans...If we don't seize what we want...It is gone for good."
You could see the other women processing Mikasa's logic; even Annie's own face showed a hint of agreement. Then you saw Adelaide's eyes fall on you, a more tender look taking over. "Conrad...Don't feel bad about all this, alright? We will find our own ways to keep your heart...and body...warm."
And with that, the tension began to dissolve, slowly replaced by a sense of...unity. A sense of camaraderie that you'd never experienced before. But you were the center of it, and it was up to you to keep this balance. You looked at each of them, feeling a deep affection and a new responsibility. Historia's cheerfulness was infectious; her laughter rang through the room as she grabbed Mikasa and Adelaide by the arm.
That night, their demands did not involve sheets and sweat, but rather a different kind of surrender, Mikasa would promise restraint while you and she occupied the room that had once held you, her, and Emelina. A trial by abstinence, they seemed to think, a way to see if this new dynamic could withstand the weight of waiting. You consented, but with a condition: the pact applied equally to all four. Historia's delight was palpable, a fox granted permission to play with her prey indefinitely, her eyes gleaming with the exquisite torture of it all.
Other ghosts haunted the periphery now. A debt, long unpaid, whose echo had become the very rhythm of your life. Its hour was approaching. You turned to Mikasa; her stare, usually a weapon, held now an unfamiliar stillness, an acceptance of the terms that bound you both.
Soon, they would move Reiner like a chess piece across the blood-soaked board, but tonight offered this fragile truce. Yet, sleep offered no sanctuary. The phantom heat of four different bodies pressed against your skin through the long, cold hours, a penance, perhaps. A lesson in patience, forcing you to look not at the shape of them, but at the substance beneath the wanting.
This much you knew: whatever storm broke upon the horizon, you would meet it with these four women at your back. Each had carved out a space within you, a territory they were prepared to defend with the same ferocity they reserved for the Titans.
-x-X-x-
The days that followed felt like walking through someone else's life. In the wake of your confession, the world had rearranged itself. Mikasa now moved among the circle of women, a stark blade among blossoms, and somehow she belonged there. There was no mistaking the shift in the air when she entered a room, a tension that hummed just beneath the surface, electric with possibility.
Her gaze would meet yours across the training yard or the mess hall, a challenge simmering in those dark depths. You could feel the pull, an invisible thread stretching between you, taut with unspoken promises. It became a private game, these stolen moments. The brush of fingers when passing a water canteen, the lingering look that held a thousand unspoken words. And sometimes, when the moment seized you, you'd answer her unspoken dare, pulling her into a shadowed alcove, her lips yielding to yours with the same fierce intensity she brought to the battlefield. It was no different with the others, each kiss a different language, each touch a different truth. Adelaide's sweetness that melted like honey on your tongue, Krista's playful ferocity that left you breathless, Annie's cold fire that threatened to consume you both.
Your world had become a carefully choreographed dance of four, and though you tried to be discreet, the veterans of the Survey Corps were not men who missed details. Their silence spoke volumes, but their whispers were inevitable. Oluo, of course, couldn't help himself. You caught his smirk, the crude joke forming behind his teeth, before Petra's well-aimed kick sent him stumbling, his wounded pride more painful than the blow.
Even Captain Levi noticed. You saw it in the flick of his eyes, the almost imperceptible tightening of his jaw as you slipped away from Krista near the stables. He said nothing, not directly, but one evening, as he passed you in the hallway, his voice a low murmur against the stone, "You've got more laundry to do, Almonacid. Use double the bleach. Some smells don't wash out easily."
Petra was less...subtle. Her teasing was gentle, a sister's ribbing, but it carried an undercurrent of something else. "I never took you for such a charmer, Conrad," she said once, her smile bright as she worked beside you, cleaning the grime from her maneuver gear. "Three blondes and a raven...quite the collection." Her voice held a lightness, yet her eyes held a shadow, a flicker of something you couldn't quite name. It wasn't for you, not entirely. It was the look of someone watching from the sidelines, a loneliness that even the brightest smile couldn't quite conceal.
Mercifully, the true nature of the intricate dance you'd been thrown into remained a secret, shielded by the frantic preparations for Reiner's transport. Eren, blissfully unaware, simply enjoyed the strange new lightness that had settled over his sister. The dark cloud of Mikasa's suffocating protectiveness had receded, leaving behind a sunnier disposition. Her hovering had lost its edge, becoming less a cage and more... a presence. A gentle warmth Eren found he rather enjoyed, especially when it came in the form of a genuine, unforced smile he hadn't seen since they were children playing in fields outside Shiganshina.
While the cadets of the 104th drilled in their separate squads, your world had shrunk to the Special Operations Squad and the three women who were its newest, unofficial members. The air around the veteran soldiers was different now, charged with a lethal focus as they oversaw the arrangements for moving their prisoner. Oluo's boisterous bragging was tempered, Eld's watchful gaze constant, Gunther a steady pillar of silence, and Petra... Petra was a study in contrasts, her warmth a fragile flame against the harsh reality of their work. Even Captain Levi's abrasive energy seemed honed to a finer point, his movements economical and deadly, a hawk scanning for the slightest flaw in their security net.
Annie, shedding a layer of her accustomed isolation, often gravitated toward you and Mikasa during these preparations. Her reasons were transparent. She sought out tasks that necessitated a shared effort, a heavy supply crate that needed lifting, a stubborn knot of rigging that needed an extra pair of hands. Each request was a plausible excuse for proximity, her blue eyes finding yours in the quiet moments between commands. She spoke little, but her presence was a statement, a quiet reminder of her stake in this new, uncharted territory.
Emelina, meanwhile, remained your shadow, her allegiance a constant, silent hum at your side. With others, her playful mask was firmly in place, but you saw the subtle shifts when Mikasa stepped into your orbit. The teasing light in Emelina's gray eyes would sharpen, her jests taking on a keener edge. It was a sibling's territorial instinct, you realized, honed razor-sharp by the presence of rivals who were more than mere friends. She wasn't fighting them; she was reminding you, and them, of the bond that preceded them all.
The rhythm of these days was a strange symphony of clashing steel and whispered affections. But beneath the routine, an unsettling question lingered. Your unique regenerative ability, a topic that had ignited a feverish, almost terrifying curiosity in Hange's eyes, had been shelved. The commander's orders were unequivocal: no further experimentation until the Reiner situation was resolved, and especially not with the Military Police sniffing around. The secret of your body was to remain locked away, a key known only to the highest echelons of the Survey Corps, lest the fear of the unknown transform you from soldier to specimen.
You chose to dedicate your free hours to rigorous practice. That relentless discipline defined you as a member of the Survey Corps; your skills had always been vital, but the revelation about Reiner transformed necessity into an urgent demand. Your body was a weapon now, forged for the coming battles. And while brief diversions remained tempting, like a certain number of blondes, for instance, the imperative to shatter your personal limits was a calculus you never ignored. If there was someone whose strength not merely matched but eclipsed your own, it was, unequivocally, the figure they'd anointed "Humanity's Strongest."
Back in the chaos of Trost, his descent with the Special Operations Squad had sealed Reiner's fate, a silver flash against the rubble that turned certain escape into a futile struggle. The bizarre Abnormals drawn to your location suddenly seemed trivial, their threat nullified by his presence. You witnessed the speed of his movements, the stoic expression as his blades scythed through flesh and bone. His look amidst the slaughter of Titans wasn't just confidence; it was an absence of doubt.
Divine. That was the only word that approximated the impression. A streak of white-hot lightning, the purest embodiment of a predator's will, yet he instilled a deeper, more profound dread in his own comrades than in the monsters they hunted. Griffin's scattered diary entries on Captain Levi painted a similar portrait: a prodigy whose violence was a form of communication, a warrior who could command absolute loyalty through sheer, undeniable efficacy, all while projecting an aura of profound detachment. At this juncture, with every new threat looming, the compulsion to learn from that wellspring of strength had become an undeniable need. To become faster, harder, and more resilient.
That was why you had to be trained by him. To be honed into a shield capable of protecting those you held dear against whatever horrors awaited, the Colossal Titan, or whatever other shadows lurked just beyond the walls.
As you worked through the methodical cleaning of the ODM gear with Historia, Mikasa, and Petra, the clank of intricate machinery filling the silence, you voiced the decision. "I'm going to ask Captain Levi to train," you said, your eyes not leaving the intricate wiring in your hands. "I need to get stronger." Simple statements, yet they drew the attention of the three women around you.
You braced for the range of possible reactions, but it was Petra you watched most closely; as a close member of his squad, she would understand the importance the best. She looked up from her work, a knowing smile gracing her features, and gave a small, affirmative nod. "Always pushing for more, aren't you?"
A slight puff inflated Historia's cheeks. "But you never seem to have the time for certain other things, do you, Conrad?" The quality of her voice hinted at a minor annoyance, yet it was devoid of any genuine displeasure. It was simply her preferred method of prodding, a habitual quirk she employed without fail.
Mikasa, in her usual manner, absorbed the jest with a heavier gravity. "Your training regimen with me is optimal, Conrad. Moreover, the Captain is always on high alert in case Reiner tries to escape. I doubt he would permit himself to get distracted." Her delivery was entirely serious, and yet the subtle tension in her jaw and a certain look she threw toward Historia betrayed her feelings. In response, a mischievous light flickered in Historia's eyes, while Petra attempted to appear impassive, a task complicated by the amused curve that insisted on forming on her lips.
"You know... and though Oluo would rather die than admit it, you're practically..." Petra's slender finger came to rest upon her rosy lips as she searched for the right word. "...like... the 'second strongest of Humanity'..." She uttered the words with the air of one who had just uncovered a profound truth.
"That's not very original..." Historia murmured, shaking her head with an exaggerated sigh. Her tone was more playful than judgmental, as though she found Petra's designation rather pedestrian. "Though the sentiment isn't entirely wrong, I suppose..." The angelic blonde then favored you with a brilliant smile. "My greatest wish is for you to become the strongest, my gallant knight!" The brilliance of her blue eyes made the proclamation seem utterly genuine and deeply heartfelt, even if you were cognizant of her occasional penchant for theatrics. The most fascinating aspect, however, was that such theatrical pronouncements seemed entirely in character for her. A strange juxtaposition that you had come to associate only with her.
"I see," you mumbled in response, somewhat at a loss for how to proceed with such extravagant endorsements. Mikasa, on the other hand, continued her maintenance of the equipment, her concentration unbroken, betraying neither jealousy nor discontent. She seemed to regard Petra and Historia's playfulness as merely part of the landscape.
"Besides, it's not just brute force and blade work with Levi," Petra elaborated, shifting her attention back to the task at hand. "A significant part of it is what he calls the 'cleaning regimen', an entire philosophy. He believes that how you care for your equipment, your body, and your surroundings is a reflection of your discipline as a soldier." A soft chuckle escaped her lips as her mind wandered, and her eyes glazed over the three lovers that were before her eyes. "...Though, you certainly make 'cleaning' your surroundings a bit more complicated, Conrad..."
Historia let out a sudden squeak of surprise, a rosy blush dusting her cheeks. "P-Petra!" she exclaimed, clearly not having expected such a forward statement.
"Oh? I think it's a compliment," Mikasa said with an unreadable expression, her gaze lingering on Petra for an instant longer than necessary.
Supported by their reactions, you simply cleared your throat, trying to maintain a semblance of composure. "I'll go and talk to him." You made an attempt to extricate yourself from the situation, eager to escape the conversation before it spiraled into more flirtatious banter.
But as you turned, you found yourself facing an entirely new spectacle. You and the other women had been so engrossed that none of you had noticed Levi's approach until he was practically upon you. He inspected the state of the cleaned ODM gear with the intensity of a predator assessing its prey.
"True." He stated as if he had overheard your entire conversation. Petra jumped, her hand immediately clapping over her mouth in shock, while the other two girls quickly resumed their tasks. You met Levi's gaze and felt as if you had just been caught doing something forbidden. "It's all about maintaining discipline, and proper decorum..." He narrowed his gray eyes as they fell upon Petra. "Isn't that right?"
"Yes, Captain." Her response was immediate, her voice trembling with a hint of embarrassment. For a moment, you thought Levi was actually scolding her for her behavior, but he simply shrugged.
"Conrad..." He called out, his gaze locking back onto you. "Since you're so eager... Come to the courtyard tomorrow before dawn...And bring your gear. We'll have a lesson..." Eyes as dead and as unreadable as always. He had listened to every word.
You gave a curt nod of your consent, "Of course, Captain."
With a glance at the other girls, whose gazes were now fixed upon the task, he left.
The silence that followed in his wake was palpable. You looked at your gear, then at the girls who were all looking at you with a mixture of expressions: concern, excitement, and... amusement? There was a tension in the air.
"I believe Petra's teasing will not be good for that 'cleaning regimen,'" You commented, attempting to lighten the atmosphere. Historia gave a nervous laugh, but Mikasa just shot you a glare that said, "That's not helping."
Petra finally lowered her hand from her mouth, her cheeks still flushed. "I...may have been too forward..." She admitted, a sheepish smile playing on her lips. "But this is good news, right? The Captain has taken a direct interest in your training."
You nodded in response; it was good news. However, there was a lingering sense of foreboding within you. Perhaps this would be the most challenging task you had taken on yet. A challenge that would test not just your physical limits but your resolve.
"Don't let the shortie scare you too much." Mikasa's voice came through; the stoicism of her demeanor was not matched by the teasing in her voice.
Historia gave an enthusiastic nod, "Yes! And if the training proves to be too much..." She looked at you, her blue eyes filled with warmth and determination. "We'll help you in our own way! Right, Mikasa?"
Did she have in mind what you had in mind? Probably not...You were quite sure of that, yet the sudden mental image of them offering such...rewards...made it a bit difficult for your thoughts to stay in line. But Mikasa did agree with the notion that they would help you in one way or the other. "Of course. If that is what will help..." Mikasa affirmed. Yet, the way she phrased that statement seemed to hint that the type of help she had in mind was... not what one might expect.
Petra, who was still blushing, seemed to finally catch on to what they were insinuating. "...Oh my..." She muttered, shaking her head. "You three... really...Well... I don't want to imagine...Oh, for the love of walls. It must be something like that...You will kill that man..." The older girl started to blush even further.
Mikasa sighed. "He is not some old man...And I do have enough restraint not to do that..." Her gaze was not the best at reassuring Petra.
The poor Petra's eyes went wide. "M-Mikasa...I meant Levi! You are all going to make that poor man drop dead from all the..." Her voice lowered a bit. "...stress..." It was not a term she had experience with, but her own imagination was painting an image she wished not to see. Yet it was amusing to see her fluster like this, so you could not help but smirk a bit. After all, her face looked just like a tomato now.
Historia, as if she could not hold her own amusement, suddenly burst into a fit of giggles. It was contagious. Petra then, seeing this reaction, tried to hold her own laughter. Then, Mikasa, for the first time you could remember, gave a light, airy chuckle that made her look incredibly cute.
It was a rare moment. A moment of lightness that you found yourself cherishing, knowing it may be fleeting, especially with what the next day would bring. Hopefully, your training with Levi would be a good one.
...You hoped.