Allies and Enemies (AoT Reader Insert)

Chapter 28: Foolish Mistakes

Every part of Reiner's body ached. He'd thought that his Titan Shifting abilities might have made the pain more bearable over time, but it never did. Every single time he transformed, it hurt. He wished that he wouldn't have to transform anymore.

"Reiner."

If he could just stay like this forever, this would be the last time he would be in pain. That sounded like a good deal.

"Reiner. You need to get up!"

Gentle hands held Reiner's face. He didn't open his eyes, but he knew who it was. He knew who it was, and he knew she wasn't actually there. The hands of a Titan Shifter always burned against the skin of another shifter. She was just in his head. Probably just another memory before everything went away forever. He was okay with this. He was okay with (Y/n) being the last person on his mind before resting.

"Reiner, please. Listen to me! You have to wake up." (Y/n) continued to plead. Although reluctant, Reiner opened his eyes. He was surprised when he was met with a field full of sand and a sky full of stars rather than the streets of Paradis. This wasn't a memory he'd fashioned himself, so where was he? And why was (Y/n) here with him? She looked so scared. More scared than he'd ever seen her before. "Falco and Gabi are in trouble. You need to protect them!"

"But if I could just let Falco inherit my powers, then-"

"He won't inherit your powers. We both know whose powers he inherited."

"What if I don't want to let you down again? How could I ever let myself be enough after what I did to you when you wanted to save Bertholdt back in Shiganshina. I can't do it. I'm not strong enough."

"Reiner, you are strong enough." (Y/n)'s voice was gentle now. Like a mother consoling a child, she wrapped her arms around him in an embrace. Despite how he couldn't really feel her warmth, Reiner knew that she was there. She was always there. "You're strong for the people you care about and strong for the people who don't even know who you are."

"How do you know that?"

"Because I've seen you be strong over and over again. Believe me, you're stronger than you think you are. So please... wake up Reiner."

This time when Reiner opened his eyes, he was met by Gabi. He didn't want to think about it much, but he knew exactly what had happened.

"Reiner! Thank goodness you're awake."

The ache of transforming still lingered in Reiner's body. He had never gotten used to it, despite having transformed a countless amount of times. He was so damn tired, but he still got up and continued forward - just as he had always done.

"Falco!" Called Gabi, "Where'd you go?!"

"Turning into a Titan for the first time affects your memories. He wouldn't be able to move right away so they probably took him."

"Who?"

The whirling of ODM gear quickly caught Reiner and Gabi's attention. Reiner had fallen before he could manage a proper response to Gabi's question, let alone respond to the oncoming enemy. So instinctively, Gabi pointed her rifle towards the oncoming enemies. The moment the young cadet realised it was Miss (Y/n) and Emanon who were approaching, her entire body relaxed. She couldn't have remained on guard even if she tried.

Emanon ran over to Gabi as soon as she could. "Gabi! Please tell me you're alright."

"I'm alright... but Falco was taken by the enemy and Colt is..." The words suddenly got caught in Gabi's throat. She couldn't tell whether breaking the news to Emanon had caused her to falter, or if it was the sight of the Crystal Shifter.