Sacrifice For You (Hange Zoe x Female Reader)

17: Far Too Observant

The sounds of birds chirping played throughout the forest, and our small, secluded camp seemed to be the only sign of any human life amongst the overwhelming amount of greenery.

"So, what the MPs are saying, is that we're fugitives?"

I stared at Jean, and his eyes only grew wider as he asked the question. The boy pulled his hood down, directing his worrisome expression toward Levi. The shorter, dark-haired man only nodded in response, seemingly occupied with other thoughts as he stared at a wanted flyer in his hands.

"What does fugitive mean?" Connie asked.

"Are you fucking kidding me, baldie," Jean said, shooting him a glare.

"I mean it SOUNDS cool-"

I sighed, "It means the government wants us dead, Con."

"...So maybe it isn't that cool," the boy with the buzzcut responded, sulking.

I shifted slightly, adjusting the log I was sitting on. It'd been around a day and a half, and things were only getting worse. On top of everything else, the government wants us publicly executed as well. How much more difficult can it get?

Hange hadn't come back either. They had left a while ago with Moblit, pursuing the Commander. For all I know, they could be in a cell right now with other Survey Corps members. My stomach twisted involuntarily at the thought, and the feeling of their fingers on my skin came back to me.

I pressed my lips together, thinking about how they'd helped me unclip my uniform back at the cottage we were holed up in. The way their usually erratic gestures melted into careful ones when they got close to me.

"You're red in the face," Armin whispered, causing me to jolt in surprise. I seethed at the pain that raced up and down my arm, stemming from my shoulder. The blonde boy studied me in concern at the reaction, taking a seat next to me.

"By the Walls, Armin, was that necessary?" I mumbled, and he chuckled softly. The rest of the group seemed too preoccupied with our current situation to listen in on our conversation.

"Sorry, [Y/N]. What were you thinking about?"

I tensed slightly at the question, swallowing. "Nothing, just... y'know, the MPs who want us killed and strung up for everyone to see."

"You're a very bad liar," he pointed out, nudging me softly.

"Maybe you're just way too observant," I looked over at him, "ever think of that, smartass?" I teased.

He smiled softly, "you're also horrible at trying to change the subject."

I huffed. Sina, I can never get anything past this boy. "Just... the other Survey Corps, alright? Half of us are probably crammed into cells by now, waiting to be killed."

"And by Survey Corps, you mean the Section Commander, correct?" he prompted, and I looked away from the boy.

"Yes, fine," I said bluntly, figuring there was no other way around it. He had a way with words that seemed near dangerous.

"They weren't exactly quiet with your conversation back in the hideout," he admitted sheepishly, and I felt heat rise to my face. "But don't worry!- I'm pretty sure I was the only one who heard some of it," he reassured me.

"I can only hope so," I replied dryly. Otherwise, I might be forced to go into hiding for the rest of my life. Or sacrifice myself to a Titan. How appealing...

"...But if my words have any significance to you," he began, "I truly do believe that they care about you."

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as my eyes widened a fraction, and I turned my head back toward the boy. His words did have significance to me, and that was the problem. My mind went blank, and silence filled the air for a few seconds.