Petrichor

Chapter 7 - Rory

A/N: this is a shorter chapter for Rory because we're about to have a pretty lengthy one for Adalynn again :) It's about the Fall of Shiganshina

"She" by Harry Styles 

Within the two weeks Adalynn continued training I witnessed her change. Not only physically, but emotionally. And in a good way. She began to trust me more, and was more inclined to go to training. She engaged in conversation further, and the hostility between her and Levi even cooled down a bit. It was still there, granted, but less than before. She even talked with my parents frequently. I found her a cheap bed and mattress around a week ago, so of course I bought it. It took a bit of time for her to get used to it, but now, when I woke up in the middle of the night she was asleep. Her hesitance towards her surroundings began to soften. She'd transformed from the alert, tense girl she had been when I first met her to a more relaxed person. It was refreshing.

I'd come to training with her today. We started earlier than usual today since Levi and Erwin's squads were leaving today for an expedition. I still wasn't able to get directly involved, but I could watch. And watching was fun. Hange and I sat against the base of a tree, watching as Adalynn zipped through the trees. She was pretty good, especially with the new gear. It was almost mesmerizing to watch her swing overhead. At times, she went so fast I could barely see her - she was nothing but a blur.

"You think she'll actually join?" Hange mumbled, a certain tinge of tiredness gracing her vocals. My eyes followed Adalynn up above, Levi close beside her.

"I don't know. Maybe," I answered honestly, glancing over at Hange. "How late did you stay up last night?"

She tilted her head to meet my eyes, the corners of her mouth twitching upwards. Her eyes creased with a half perplexed, half guilty smile. "How would you feel if I told you I didn't go to bed?"

My eyes widened slightly, and I forced myself not to smile. Instead, I knitted my brows together in feigned disappointment. "Hange," I scolded, and she chuckled warmly. "Why don't you go to bed now? You don't have to sit here and watch with me."

Hange sighed, scooting a bit closer when a slight breeze passed through. "I know I don't have to, but I want to. Big difference." She looked down and to my hand, gently lifting my arm. I was confused to say the least, but simply waited. "How'd you get this one?" She pointed to a long, but faint scar that stretched from my knuckles to my wrist.

I hummed thoughtfully, leaning my head back against the tree. "Using ODM gear for the first time, actually. My gear was broken, I fell from a tree and my hand got cut on the way down from a branch. I think it was a branch. Either way, ODM training."

Hange traced her thumb along the scar before abruptly letting my arm fall. It caught me by surprise. "Looks pretty cool. Actually, I wanted to ask you-"

Hange's words were cut off by the sudden yelp of someone above. My eyes shot up, landing on Adalynn. She let herself fall around twenty feet before shooting the hooks into a tree in front of her. She hooted loudly, a loud laugh following afterwards. Pure enlightenment. I let a smile creep onto my face, watching as she zoomed past.

When I turned back to Hange, she was watching Adalynn. "What were you saying?" She looked at me again, but shook her head.

"It's nothing," she insisted, shrugging it off. "They should be coming down soon. Levi's gotta get ready for the mission."

I wanted to ask her what she was going to say again, but decided to leave it be. "Standard expedition?"

Hange nodded.

I sighed, closing my eyes. "I think we both need a nap," Hange teased, nudging my shoulder. She was close enough that, because our legs were extended, they gently brushed up against each other. I hit her head with my own in slight defiance, scoffing.