Born In A Cruel World

Memory Lane

It hadn't been long after the battle against the Colossal and Armored Titan, sadly, the Scouts lost Ymir Eren to them, not only that, almost all the veterans were unconscious, hurt and injured after that devastating blow caused by the colossal Titan.

Y/N, with his ODM gear had safely brought Mikasa to the top of the wall and laid her down and removed her gear and strappings off her and left them aside. Afterwards he had to use her scarf as a pillow to have her head rest on them.

Y/N had a gloomy expression, the only ones still conscious was him, Armin, Mr. Hannes, Connie, Kri—Historia, and just only a few scout veterans.

They had to remove their gear and patch them up the best they could, mostly Historia since she handled patching up the unconscious veterans.

He was sat down on Mikasa's right side as Armin was to her left. They lost Eren, without it felt so incomplete, especially when Mikasa was unconscious.

Y/N didn't say a word at all, just silence from him other than occasional worried glances to Mikasa and Armin. Hannes then came over to them.

"Unbelievable. What a disaster this day has been. Luckily we were above so we got away unscathed. Everyone else at the bottom was blasted by all that steam and wind. There was nothing they could do then and there." Hannes said, the sight was gloomy.

Only those who stayed at the top were unscathed, but it was as he said.

"How's Mikasa doing, Armin?" Hannes had to ask, acknowledging her unconscious state.

"I don't see any bad wounds. I'm guessing it's just a minor concussion. Luckily Y/N was down there to catch her and did the best he could to take the fall for her." Armin answered as he looked to Y/N who was still glancing at Mikasa worriedly once every few moments.

"I see... Y/N, you doing okay there?" Hannes had to ask Y/N noticing his silence and constant worrying glances.

".... No. I'm okay physically but—Mikasa, I caught her, did the best I could to take the fall. Eren though... I could've followed after them but—" He stops himself there knowing if tried to follow, he really would put himself more in harms way, even if he was the better combatant, he still couldn't manage to even get around Reiners armor, especially with Eren held hostage by them.

"Don't try and go blaming yourself, there couldn't be much you could do on your own. You've tried your best protecting your only Family, but sometimes, problems like that prevents you from doing the best you can."
Hannes gently ruffles Y/N's hair.

"I know Y/N's not usually the hungry type but, what about you Armin? You haven't eaten yet have you? I'll get you something, you too Y/N." Hannes asked as he looked over to Armin who shook his head, but just ruffled Armin's hair as well.

Hannes then leaves to get some rations for Armin, Y/N and Mikasa whenever she would regain conscious.

Five years ago
845

Armin ran down the street, panting as he ran towards Mikasa and Y/N who were getting some fruits and vegetables from a veggie stand.

"Mikasa! Y/N!" Armin called out to the two as they turned to see Armin stopping behind them, panting as he rested his hands on his knees.

"Armin, what's wrong?" Y/N asked his young blonde friend

"It's Eren!" Armin told them as Mikasa then got into Armin's personal space.