death do us part

war

The door creaked open, revealing you. Mikasa and Armin turned to look at you. Armin gave you a confused yet sad look. While Mikasa just stared blankly. You made your way silently behind Eren.

The girl beside Armin looked up at you before quickly looking away when you gave her a hard glare.

The kid who killed Sasha.

"Hange and the others are fine. We're just relocating them," you heard Eren say.

"What were you thinking when you decided to attack Marley on your own?" Armin quickly said, glancing at you.

"Did Zeke and Yelena really win you over to their side?"

"I am free, Armin."

You took in a sharp quiet breath.

"Every single thing that I've done, I decided to do.  My actions are governed by nothing but my own free will."

"So even though you secretly met with Yelena, you're saying that this was all you?" Armin said, his tone confused.

"No way. You're being manipulated! The Eren I know would never involve civilians and children in a war, even if they were enemies." Mikasa said angrily.

"And- you wouldn't put us at risk either. You care about us more than anyone! Don't you? You rescued me from those kidnappers in the cabin and wrapped this scarf around me." Mikasa tugged on her scarf once.

"Because you're a kind person!"

"I said to keep your hands on the table, Mikasa."

Your eyes fluttered close, feeling sad for Mikasa. The way she looked at Eren. You couldn't see Eren's expression from behind him. You wondered if he gave Mikasa a small look just like hers.

"Back in Liberio, I spoke with Zeke. Brother to brother."

You wanted to cringe.

"I learned a lot of things from him. Honestly, it seems like he knows even more about how Titans work than Marley does."

"Armin, what do you think it is that drove you to start visiting Annie? Do you really believe it's your own free will?"

"Huh? What? I don't-"

oh god.

"If memories play a major role in shaping us into the people we are, then part of you has become Bertholdt. Within you is an enemy who has feelings for another enemy. Understand? Bertholdt has gotten into your head."

"You're the one being manipulated by the enemy."

Mikasa looked over to Armin's look of shock, "Hey! Why would you-"

Eren interrupts, "You're being controlled, too."

I should not be here.

"The Ackerman clan was designed to be perfect for the task of protecting Eldia's king. Your Ackerman instincts were dormant, until in that life or death situation you heard me order you to 'fight.'"