Hometown

Chapter 15 - The First Surrender

Sorry I posted this so late! I had to go get my second COVID shot :D

The Sun startled me as my eyes began to slowly open. It was blinding, and caused dots of colors to circle in my vision. As I steadily adjusted to the light, I discovered that I was in a wagon with two others that had been wounded. However, their wounds looked more severe than mine. One cadet had his leg cut clean off, while the other one's entire head was covered in bandages; including his eyes. Fearing what may be under my own bandages, I put my hand up to my forehead. I could feel only a soft piece of cloth wrapped tightly around the front and back of my head.

"Where exactly are we?" I mumbled lowly, still feeling in a daze and remembering my dream of the past. It was unclear whether we were safe within Wall Rose, or whether we were still in Trost.

"Hey! She's waking up!" I heard the familiar sound of Sasha's voice. I hadn't seen her since up on that rooftop. It was good to hear her voice and know she was ok. She ran over with Ymir and Christa by her side.

"You were out for a while." Ymir said lowly as she placed her arms on the wagon while Sasha jumped in next to me. Christa stood next to Ymir looking concerned.

"What exactly happened?" I asked. "Are we still in Trost?" I felt as though I knew the answer, but I asked anyway.

"We're stationed within Wall Rose near the gate to Trost." Christa spoke sweetly. "We're waiting for further instruction."

"You're so lucky to have made it back!" Sasha exclaimed. "You seemed out cold! For a bit there, I wasn't so sure how we'd get you out of Trost!" Sasha placed her hand on my shoulder, a gesture of comradery.

"Luckily, I heard your boyfriend was strong enough to carry you all the way back here on his own." Ymir teased me lightly, giving me a punch to my arm.

"Reiner's not my boyfriend!" I said defensively.

"Oh yeah?" Sasha asked. "You seemed to immediately know who we were talking about. Also, he didn't let anyone touch you the entire time! And the way he was taking care of you didn't seem like something 'just a friend' would do!" She said, her fingers in quotes.

"Guys stop!" Christa said as she faintly whacked Ymir's shoulder. She tried her best to give Sasha an intimidating look, but then she paused and looked at me hesitantly. "Although... it's true he does seem to care for you," she admitted quietly.

"Guys, honestly it's platonic." I stated coldy, even though I wasn't entirely sure myself if that was true. "We're just really good friends. Besides, all these years I'm sure he's considered me to be like a sister to him. That's probably why he cares so much." It would explain why he had been so protective and why he always came to my defense. It also explained why he told me his secret. Even so, the thought hovered in the back of my mind that perhaps there was another reason.

"You're not even denying that you have feelings for him!" Sasha shouted playfully. "You're just saying he doesn't have feelings for you!" Sasha laughed as she jabbed at me, just like Ymir. At that point I realized I was going to get bruises on both my shoulders.

"N-no! I don't have feelings for him!" I buried my face in my knees, trying to hide my embarrassment. "He–he's like a brother to me!" When I thought more about it, the more my words seemed delusive. Do I like him? I asked myself. I never thought he liked me... but, is it possible he does? Could I even return those feelings?

"Well," Ymir began as she looked away from me slyly. "Why don't you let him know that you don't like him and get it over with? You can tell him now!" Ymir snickered as she pointed to Reiner, who was steadily walking towards us.