𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍. AotxMaleOc (Attack on Titan X Tokyo Ghoul)

Desperate Hope

Flashback

Stohess District

One day after the assault on the Scouts' HQ

Annie Leonhart was the Female Titan; Armin and Erwin had figured it out together after the former deduced the way it tracked down Eren during the 57th expedition, and also the mysterious fact of her broken leg healing within a day. Scouts Regiment had tracked her down to Stohess, where Annie, using the chaos after the HQ attack, had slipped away unnoticed.

In the aftermath of the failed expedition, the government ordered the Scouts Regiment to hand over Eren. Seemingly complying with it, Erwin and Scouts had different plans. Anticipating that Female Titan will attempt to capture Eren again along their to Mitras, Commander Erwin and Armin made up a plan: Jean would be placed in Eren's carriage as his body double, while Mikasa, Eren, and Armin would lure Annie underground. If it didn't work, the Scout squads covering them on a way would interfere and capture the suspect, although none of them wished to be engaged in a battle as that would mean Annie potentially turning into Titan, which would then lead to a bloody and destructive battle within the District.

At the same time, the alleged culprit of the current situation, with the cloak covering her head, wandered through the alleyways of Stohess, trailing the carriage that had Eren. To her annoyance, she found herself in a state of uncertainty and slight panic. Her original plan, capturing Eren during the expedition, failed miserably and she got lucky to get out without any serious damage. However, she was in uncharted territory, with no backup or cover story. Moreover, a crisis of conscience plagued her thoughts as she continued to trail behind the carriage from the side.

As the blonde warrior walked through the alleyways of Stohess loosely following the small escort that held Jean who she thought was Eren.

Annie: It can't get any worse. Not only I had failed to capture Eren, but we've got another, much bigger problem. Joseph...another Titan Shifter? Does that mean Reiner was right back then when he asked me to kill him? Even then, I listened to this bastard's plan and now I am here, following this suicidal maniac like some beggar. What the hell am I even doing here? Why should I even be doing this? Reiner, damn bastard, this is your fault.

Annie has dressed inconspicuously in her classic cream-coloured sweatshirt underneath a jacket and a pair of dark grey pants, her hood up and hands in pockets, also having ODM gear that she grabbed before fleeing the HQ, attached to her. Lost in thought, she collided with a hooded figure she failed to notice, and both fell to the ground.

Annie: Watch where you are going.

The hooded figure pulled his hood off and revealed himself to be surprised to see Armin.

Annie: Armin?

Armin: Annie! There you are. I was getting worried.

Right after both were on their feet, Armin pulled Annie into a tight hug, catching her slightly off guard, but she returned the hug a second later. She was terrified for the first few seconds, fearing that he might ask how she was there since he had an injury. She knew he would ask her this at some point but she hoped he wouldn't realize her biggest secret, since in that case, she must escape and abandon him and others forever. However, at that rare moment of calmness, she found the embrace warming. It almost made her forget about all the issues she was facing. However, she quickly got back to reality and after stepping away from her friend, questioned him.

Annie: What are you doing here?

Armin: Me? What about you? I was so scared when I couldn't find you. There was a mess after HQ was attacked.