The Pauper Prince || Attack on Titan x Male Reader

Merciful Sacrifice

Joining the Survey corps was truthfully a disappointment, at least once the anxiety settled. You traded one classroom for another, though this one was a "strategy" room discussing the upcoming expedition you had all signed up for involuntarily. The training was still training and besides new instructors, you were still with the 104th. In the end, your big endeavor to escape your Father's influence felt entirely the same. Though an interesting part of the new Survey training included a horse. Learning to ride was never something you remembered, even during your time living with your uncle and grandparents. After a month of these same old, the day approached and the survey corps was deployed in Calanes district. There in the streets of an unfamiliar district for the first time in a month, the anxiety reared its ugly head once more. It seeped through your body like a virus locking your muscles up one by one until you froze up in place. You needed someone. Anyone. Connie, Sasha, Christa, hell you'd even take her bodyguard at this point. Armin or Mikasa was a nice choice, but even they were just out of reach from your squad.

???: Oi.

You felt a tap on your thigh and managed to free your neck of the influence enough to look down and be met with a familiar blonde. Those green eyes of hers meeting your (E/c) ones as your shoulders visibly relaxed, much to her delight.

Erika: Did you miss me or something?

(Y/n): Why are you here? I thought you were still recovering.

You dodged the question. It wasn't the fact you did miss her moreso you knew her leg was still healing but here she was before you in her attire. It appears despite missing the ceremony she too managed to join the scouts, though most of her tenure so far was in a bed. The dark green cape flapped softly around her shoulders and she lifted her head to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

Erika: Yeah I'm supposed to but I was cleared for action two days ago. My squad leader was still worried about my leg though so I've been regulated to the support squad. So you'll only get to see me until the edge of that village out there.

(Y/n): How do you stay so calm?

Erika: I never thought about it I suppose. I'm here for a reason and so are you.

(Y/n): I guess I am but... I can't stop freezing up, just panicking for a moment before I settle back into reality. Any tips?

Erika: You could always think about me, seemed to work well for you last time~

The girl's comment brought a chuckle to your lips and managed to further loosen up your muscles, allowing your to at least roll your shoulders and let out a built-up sigh.

(Y/n): I thank you for flirting Ms. Bauer but I'm married to my job.

Erika let a laugh out of her own, the gentle sound much pleasant to your ears than the sound of creaking wagons and rattling flare canisters. 

???: Oi Bauer! Get back on your horse!

Erika: A-Ah yes sir!

The girl called out to her squad leader and cast a wave over her shoulder before jogging off, carefully dodging horses to get back to her position.

(Y/n): Did she really risk getting in trouble to come to talk to a sap like me? Pfft, I must look that pitiful. 

You didn't know exactly when the command was shouted, but as the gate locked into place above the opening and the horses in front of your reared back, you watched the tide of horses rush forward and your own black-colored steed chased after. The 57th expedition of the Survey Corps was officially on the way.

The dilapidated village just beyond the wall was an eerie place but thankfully no casualties were had due to the support squad. You could have even sworn one of the flying scouts was the girl you had just been talking to. Just past eh outskirts of the village the order was given and you could even see in the distance the arm of Commander Erwin Smith stretch out then his voice boomed out,