Great Descendant || Attack on Titan x Reader

61 || Turning Page

You remembered what your father said when you were five.

That day, you were running from the library to his office, finding yet another question that might not be suitable for a kid. But you were a Tybur, the world already saw you as one of the greatest beings on earth. The way you think, it should surpass children your age.

In your hand, a book about the history of mankind was clutched tight. It was heavy, but you held it firmly with both hands, using the hardcover to knock on his door. You asked him why there was a pattern in every civilization. Didn't matter how prosperous it was, how cultured the people and the vast, green land they possessed — in the end, there would always be a war to end their glory.

For the first time in forever, your father couldn't answer your question right away. What was the point of war? Why were these people obsessed with power? It was just human nature, he said after a while. Some humans couldn't handle their greed, it was a sin that was bestowed towards humankind. Forever existed, until the end of time.

Ever since you were a little girl, you had been wanting to change that. Wouldn't it be nice to have each country supporting one another? Neighbours traded food and snacks, and children played at the park while their parents shared deep thoughts. A future without war, it was a dream you always wanted to achieve.

Along the way, however. You knew it was quite impossible. With Marley pushing through the titan's power. For another nation to be afraid of such cruelty, the slavery within the walls, manipulation you received. You should have known there was no way for your dream to come true. But it wasn't a sin to aim for it, right?

"Hey,"

"Hi."

Especially now when everything was finally balanced. A world without titan power, a world where everyone was just — human. "Why are you not inside, Kirstein? It's a bit cold." You bumped his shoulder with yours, an action that didn't affect him at all as he continued to stare at the ripples of the ocean, following your line of vision.

"I am the one who should ask you that, Tybur." He saw you from his peripheral vision, trying to understand whether you wanted him around or not.

You let out a sigh, not knowing how to answer that since a melancholy feeling suddenly hit you. Three years had passed ever since the Battle of Heaven and Earth occurred, you and the others were seen as heroes to the rest of the world. But something nagged your mind when you knew where the next destination was.

The island of Paradis. Your home for almost a decade.

"What do you think will happen once we arrive, Kirstein?"

Jean raised one of his eyebrows at your question, despite already being able to see through your anxiety over the last few days on the ship, this time he was finally sure why. "I heard things are peaceful, but they decided to strengthen their military."

"Well, that wouldn't change anything." He gingerly rested his arm around your shoulder, pulling you closer towards him. "We are the goddamn heroes of the world. They would want to know what we have been going through the last few years, right?" His eyes cast towards you, and the edge of his lips curled into a smirk.

The same one that he had on his face whenever he wanted to tease you, nothing had changed regardless how many years went by. "That's why Historia wants us home. She wants us to tell them that the world no longer sees Paradis as a threat. No more." He was still the same Jean Kirstein. The boy from Trost who cherished you.

"You are right." Your gaze softened as you took his reassurance to your heart. "If we can change people's hearts from hundreds of nations out there, what stopping us from doing the same to Paradis?" Leaning your head on the crook of his neck, now getting much more comfortable as the jitters slowly left your body.