Taking Reins/Can't Look Back (Hitch Dreyse x Male Reader)

Prologue 3: Homecoming

The year was 850

"-so comes to a close the Mercenary and the Black Knight fateful duel." You closed the book and placed it on the grass next to you. 

Dominic sat up from the patch as well. "What happens next? You can't just leave it there, you're killing me!" He stood up to his feet before pretending to get stabbed to death, falling back down instantly. "Killing me."

You gave a light chuckle. "Yeah yeah, I'll read part 4 tomorrow, alright?" 

Dominic visibly cringed. "There may not be a tomorrow, graduation is today, and seems like they're gonna have a bunch of people present." He gave a somber sigh. "Everyone's gonna be here, Rico, Kitz, Erwin, Nanaba, you name it."

You noticed Marlo running towards the hill, he was carrying a piece of paper, a message from Ludveck perhaps?

Once he finally made it up, he handed the paper over to you, panting heavily. He finally got a hold of himself and stood straight. "The Commandant wanted me to hand this letter to you, why exactly is beside the point."

"You think it's because of the fight a year ago?"

"Don't remind me Dom..." You remember the fight vividly, especially since Lex hasn't tried to challenge you since. 

"Also, he needs us to meet at Chlorba now. Graduation is coming soon, and so is when we'll finally make the grand choice."

"Oh, right! I hope I make top 10!" You clasped your hands in joy, surprising a daydreaming Dominic. 

"Gah- We get it, you two want to stop corruption, I've heard it a million times!" Dominic gave an annoyed look to you. "You can't change something that refuses to change." 

"Heroes never turned away in the face of adversity, they fought back against the evil!" You retorted. 

Marlo stepped in the middle of his stare. "I intend to rise up the ranks, so it will have the ability to change for the better!"

"I know this isn't a fairy tale, but trust us Dom."

Dominic sighed in defeat. "I'll never get you two." He stretched out a little before preparing to move. "Let's go, or else the Commandant's gonna murder us!" 

Marlo stood by watching Dominic pretend to get stabbed again, sighing at the 'Murder us!' from his more theatrical comrade. He turned back to you, holding out his hand. "Come on (y/n), let's go to the ceremony."

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Commandant Ludveck stood proudly in front of his new graduates, watching them line up in front of him. 

"Everyone! Once again, I extend a congrats for making it to the end. You are now fully fledged soldiers, with the choice of the Scout Regiment, or the Garrison Regiment; only the top 10 will have the ability to join the Military Police on the spot. That's enough of that, now on to the top 10!"

10: Alberto Granados
9: Rhea Shawcross
8: Heath Mackoya
7: David Rashford
6: (y/n) (l/n)
5: Lex Mackoya
4: Marlo Freudenberg
3: Charlotte Grust
2:  Minerva Ulster
1: Dominic Abarca

"These are your top 10!"

"Remember what's been taught, from the trivial to the significant; from abstaining from wine to the titan's weak point. They may be what determines your fate in the end. The 104th Cadet Corp is officially disbanded, dismissed!" 

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Days have passed since the graduation ceremony. The stars were bright, as if they provided light on their own, perfect for a moment to finally relax from everything, especially Lex's need to brag about being one place above you. 

"Did you hear about Trost?" asked a familiar voice. 

"Ghk- Oh Marlo! Yeah I heard how the situation was dire, did something happen?" You faced him directly now. 

"Apparently there was a titan who fought alongside them during the battle. They helped seal up the entrance!"

"No way-"

"There's more than what meets the eye... anyways, what're you doing out here?"

"Needed a moment to relax, soak it all in..."

"Yeah... still intending to join me to the MPs?"

You gave a soft laugh. "Always Marlo, let's change the world!"

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After the presentations, which mostly consisted of Erwin Smith, Nile Dok, and much to Lex's joy, Rico Brzenska, everyone met up to their respective carriages. Rhea, Lex, and Heath went to the Garrison while Minerva, David, and Alberto to the Scouts. Lastly, you and Marlo chose the MPs. 

"Wait up!" 

You turned to the unfamiliar voice, it was Charlotte. "H-Hey Marlo, (y/n)..." she huffed and puffed quite a bit.

"Charlotte?" Marlo questioned before looking beyond, seeing someone else. "Dominic?!"

"Phew... sorry I'm late!" Dominic caught his breath before noticing the confused stares. "What are you looking at me like that for?"

You decided you deserved this cheap shot toward him. "Didn't expect you, of all people, to come with us."

"You wound me!"

Charlotte interjected. "We're here to keep you two out of trouble, make sure you're not acting like fools." She had a smug look on her face.

"What...ever the case, I'm glad you're coming along with us!" Marlo replied before hearing the bell. "That's us, we should get in."

"Yeah..." you thought. "Let's go now."

You carried a whole bag full of books, all of them fairy tales, fantasy novels, or fables. It may or may not have weighed down the carriage by quite a bit. That wasn't important, what was important was the new journey that has just begun, a journey back home to Stohess. 

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You finally exit the carriage, looking around the familiar, yet strange scenery of Stohess. It seems that the rest of the new recruits feel the same way. Due to the limited entry, you could spot 3 unfamiliar faces: one from a short white-haired boy, a short blonde with her hair wrapped in a unique ponytail, and lastly a curly haired brunette.

The brunette in particular caught your interest. She seemed distant, not like the blonde but rather that she wasn't really in the moment. You were consumed with curiosity from the get go. 

"Lex is definitely missing out." Dominic chuckled a bit. 

Marlo tapped your shoulder. "Welcome home."

"Yep..." You finally took a deep breath of that hometown air. "I guess I am home."