𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 | 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭

Chapter Eighty

We have finally reached the flying boat, our ship got docked and we are currently getting ready. Well, everyone who is capable of doing so, I am not placed in that category.

Hange gave me some pain medicine, so the pain isn't as much but I still am hurting. Though, I feel the pain in my heart just may be heavier.

Armin and I still haven't spoken, I'm embarrassed I shouldn't act that way when he was only trying to comfort Annie. All the time my jealously gets the best of me.

As of now, I sit with my feet dangling in front of me off of the stone platform holding us up. Staring into the water I watch as the ocean ripples. The calm look of the sky right now would've fooled me about everything else happening.

Everything Eren is doing.

"I'm sorry." Is heard from behind me as I don't even turn around, I just continue to stare at the sea.

Quietly Annie moves to take a seat beside me. Her hand finds mine as she begins to hold onto me, I can't help but squeeze her hand like I always did when we were kids. "We were talking about you."

My peaceful silence is broken once again by Annie, but I don't understand what she means.

"What are you talking about?"

"Just seeing you crying in that bathroom made me... emotional... I don't know, just the thought of all those years you lived without me, you survived... I always wanted you to be able to do without me, but it hurt seeing you do so well. It made me realize you really don't need me."

Annie isn't crying but I can tell she's trying not to, the way she is scrunching her nose and taking deep breaths before she can continue speaking tells me all I need to know.

"That's what Armin and I were talking about, he was touching me because I started crying. Because I realized if you don't need me who does then? My whole life I have been trying to protect you and help you learn, if you don't need that anymore what am I good for?"

Finally, her body gives in, and she begins to cry, she acts if she is not though. Still looking straight ahead.

Every time I see Annie cry it shocks me because how can someone who seems so tough and different from me feel exactly how I do?

"Annie."

I turn my head to face her but still she won't move hers. "I always will still need you."

Broken sobs come from her mouth as she pulls me into a hug. I don't hesitate to hug her back as I smile.

"Once your titan years run out, I'll be so lost, Annie. Don't ever think in those years you were locked up I didn't need you. I have friends here but none of them know me like my sister does. You've always been the one who I come to when I need to be helped, when I need to be cleaned up. I don't remember how many times you held me when I had dreams about what happened. I can make a million other friends, but I couldn't ever make a sister again."

Her arms squeeze me tighter from the words I speak.

She pulls me away wiping her eyes onto the sleeve of her white hoodie. "Please, do me a favor. Don't go on the flying boat."

I look at her confused. "What? But I want to." She shakes her head, finally turning to look me in the face.

Her hand comes softly brushing my short hair behind my ear. "You're injured. There's no way you can fight like that; your stitches are average at the most you need professional help. That wound isn't something you can just walk off."

"But I want to help. Everyone's playing their part, I don't want to fall short." I argue back, Annie only wants what is best for me, but I can't do that.