Nest & Wings (Annie Leonhardt x Male Reader)

Chapter 45: Wrapping Things Up

A few weeks later,

After a well deserved break, your squad assembles in Shiganshina to begin the next phase of your plan. You and Levi collaborate once again as the two squads head out to establish a base near the port.

You set off on horseback and reach the port by evening. You didn't know what to expect, so you were careful as you scouted the area around it. However, it was completely desolate— not a single Marlean guarding it. It seemed they simply arrived once a month, did their business, and left.

Afterwards you bring Eren, Armin and the others down to the beach as you promised you'll visit the ocean together. The two were mesmerized seeing it for the first time. Armin in particular had a childish sense of excitement about him.

Connie and Sasha found some weired looking rocks. Annie explains that they're called sea shells and that they come from creatures living in the ocean. Bertolt had to take over being the tour guide as Annie and Petra went back make everyone something to eat.

You step back to take a break as Eren and Armin kept playing around in the waves. Mikasa sits down next to you and explains how the two of them never got to play around like that when they were kids. She was happy that they finally got a chance to enjoy themselves.

As she did, you notice the way she was staring at Eren and say, "I'm not one to rush things but... how long do you plan to wait before admitting how you feel?"

"Huh...? What are you talking about?" She asks.

"You know what I'm referring to... it couldn't be more obvious after seeing you nearly stare a hole through him. You like Eren, don't you?" You point out.

She answers, "It's not like that— Eren is... Family."

"You do realize you're backing yourself to a corner, right? I mean... if you keep saying that to everyone, it'll sink in... and by the time you work up the courage to confess, it might actually feel like incest." You explain.

"That's... not your concern." Mikasa seemed slightly embarrassed by the way you candidly pointed it out.

You elaborate, "Listen... Jean's my best friend, so I'm literally the last person who wants you to end up with Eren. But you sounded so pathetic that it reminded me of myself. I used to deny my feelings for Annie too you know. I can't tell you how to live your life, but trust me... you'll eventually regret it if you keep lying to yourself."

She asks, "What do you mean?"

"The curse of Ymir... It still makes me sick to my stomach when I think about it. But it's the inevitable reality. If I were you, I'd make the most of what's in front of me right now while I still have a chance." You explain.

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A few days later,

You didn't know when Marley would return, so you, Annie, Eren and Mikasa stay behind to guard the port while the others returned to take out the last few titans that remained outside the walls.

"This is starting to get boring..." Eren complains as you haven't seen a single Marlean ship since arriving at the port.

"Bare with for a little longer. We agreed to change shifts weekly, didn't we?" You point out.

Eren says, "Isn't there anything we can do to kill time? Like training— or maybe a duel."

"Remember what you said while we were in Shiganshina?" Annie reminds you how you suggested having a two versus two duel against them.