Glory For Mankind | AOT [book 1]

Ch.12:Sanctuary

Alis was there when Ruvik came home in the middle of the night. She woke up to the sound of shuffling footsteps and someone knocking over multiple things. She sat up on  the mattress and listened. "Ruvik?"

"I-It's fine, go back to sleep, Alis."

She didn't believe him. His words sounded different, like was in pain. They've known each other for 2 years now and knew how to interpret the way he felt through the way he talks. Just with the sound of his voice, she's able to recognize how he is feeling. Some people would call it talent, but anyone could do it if they gave him only a little bit of time out of their day.

With what Alis heard in his voice from his first response, she already suspected the reason why. Alis heard the news from the old lady that lived next door. Apparently, the titans invaded the Shiganshina District three days ago, the same place she recognized to be Ruvik's hometown, and how they took over the interior of Wall Maria as well.

The sound of Ruvik's voice got closer, and when she felt their bed dip, she felt around for him. Her fingers land on top of his hand and followed that hand to the length of his arm, to his shoulder, and finally to his face.

Alis used both of her hands to hold the one thing she wished she could see more than anything in the entire world.

"Tell me, what's wrong? You know you can talk to me..." She said, hoping her words were able to provide comfort to the only man whose ever done the same for her.

Alis felt his hands gently wrap around her wrists before hearing Ruvik voice whisper to her."...Okay."

One hand loosened around her wrist and began to move up her arm as he spoke. "I watched my mother and brother die." His hand reached out and cupped her cheek, Alis immediately responding by leaning into his hand for comfort. "I failed to keep Tobi safe. I shouldn't have yelled at him, I shouldn't have let him go, I shouldn't have left him alone."

"It wasn't your fault, Ruvik."

"But it was." He countered.

"You can't blame yourself," Alis whispered softly. "You shouldn't regret your actions. You did all you could do."

"You don't understand, Alis " He said as he gently pulled her hands away and held them in his lap. "I stood there as that titan ate my brother, watched as he begged for me save him. He was...he was still breathing, Alis. He was crying for me...and I just watched."

She opened her mouth to console him, but he was quick to continue.

"I don't understand. I've saved thousands of people--soldiers, but I couldn't...I couldn't save my own brother."

"Ruvik..."

"I would trade all the people that I saved for him." He whispered. "A thousand lives for one."

To anyone else, those words might have hurt to hear, but Alis didn't take it personal. Even if she was one of the people Ruvik rescued, but she understood what he meant.

Then, she felt it. Something fell onto her hands. It was wet.

"Don't...Don't cry." Alis stated gently, it was as if she talking to a frightened animal. Like she was trying to get closer to a cornered creature that could rip her a part at any sudden move. Her voice was soft and gentle, like a mother would sound like to comfort their child from a nightmare.

Ruvik tilted his head away from her, whispering out of her hearing range. "You're wrong...I wish I was crying."

Alis suddenly took his hand and pulled him onto the bed, laying right next to her. She held his hand in her two small ones, placing a small kiss on his rough fingers, before reaching out for his head. Ruvik scoot himself closer to her, letting her wrap her arms around his head and cradling it against her chest. She ran her fingers through his brown hair, giving him a sense of comfort. She didn't say anything else to him, she just held him in her arms.