Cruel World (Attack on Titan X Male Reader)

Attack on Titan | That Day

'I never wanted any of this to happen...'

'What's happening...?'

'I'm so sorry...!'

You snapped your eyes open, having just woken up from a strange dream. You took a few breaths, trying to calm your accelerating heartbeat. Seeing all of the remaining survivors, you could tell that most of the population had fallen to the Titans.

You did get up and wandered around the city. Eventually, you saw how people started to receive food rations in a long line. A girl was given a small slice of bread that looked old, and you looked to try and find any sign of the others.

That same girl heard your footsteps and got a glance at you. She slightly frowned but kept walking on her way. You looked for any sign of Eren, Mikasa, or even Armin. Hearing rumors of food shortages from the pedestrians, you bumped into a few shoulders as you kept searching.

You got into an alleyway, having ventured far and you eyed the flag of Wall Rose. You frowned slightly, now knowing that Wall Maria had been abandoned for good. After what felt like hours, you finally reached the others.

"You guys...!" You said aloud.

"(Y/N)...!" Armin was surprised to see you.

"Sorry." Mikasa apologized as you ran and slowed down to stand next to her, Eren crossing his arms. "We went to get our food rations, but they didn't let us get any for you."

"All of this is just bullshit..." Eren said.

"Don't worry about me." You said. "I'll be fine."

Like you said, you weren't hungry for the rest of the day. Having you around definitely lifted Eren's spirits, but the four of you couldn't just erase what had happened in Shinganshina and you all lived with Armin's grandfather as a big family.

As months passed, the royal government tried its best to handle the increasing food shortages. Wall Rose had already been through a shortage, and the incoming Wall Maria civilians didn't make that any better. Refugees offered to help cultivate fields, but it didn't benefit Wall Rose at all.

The government decided to launch a military campaign in a futile attempt to take back Wall Maria. 250,000 refugees were send, but only about 100 actually came back alive. It was just a ruse so the food shortages would finally end.

"Grandpa..." Armin cried as he held the hat of his grandfather and he sobbed into it, for his grandfather had been a victim of this expedition and you put a hand on his shoulder.

"I've made up my mind." Eren said, and the others eyed him. "I'm going to apply for the Cadet Corps. I can't just sit around here and do nothing anymore...and let those Titans—"

"I'm going with you." Mikasa said.

"Mikasa—!"

"This isn't a discussion." Mikasa shut him up. "I know I can't convince you otherwise...but I promised your mom that I would protect you. If I can't stop you, I'll enlist with you at the very least."

"Same here." You said, standing up and giving Eren a grin. "I can't just let you die out there alone either. You guys are family to me, and I don't want any one of you to die...if I am still alive."

"You guys..." Eren said.

"I'm going to enlist too!" Armin exclaimed.

The following year was the year you all enlisted into the 104th Cadet Corps. Rows of upcoming cadets were lined in long horizontal lines as they stood firm in front of the instructor. You knew that he was strict, and not just because he was bald and old.