A Wall Of Blue Roses(Un Mur de Roses Bleues)

The Titan Forest

The rain lashed harshly down on Belle as she galloped past the giant trees of the titan forest. The hood of her scouting cloak turned up against the equally harsh wind, protecting her from the elements at all costs as she kept riding onwards in search of her brother, though the strong wind and heavy raindrops threatened to slow her down on her journey. How she longed to bring Claudius home safe and sound back to their family in Trost District, a hot meal waiting for them both.

Belle was frantic in her search as she used her 3DMG to fly off her horse and land on a branch of the nearest tree, arming herself with her blades in case of any titans nearby that would dare to get in her way. Flying from one tree to another, her brown eyes scanned the area. She even called out to him, only to recieve no answer as she continued to look for him.

"Claudius?"

Raindrops hit her face, soaking her hair as she soared through the air, taking down many titans that got in her way. It felt like an eternity as every hour that passed until, without warning, she heard a small puff from her 3DMG gas tanks.

"Oh non..."

Upon landing on the ground, Belle sat up and her eyes widened in shock and horror.

Claudius was unconscious on the ground. His gas tanks had ran out like hers did, his uniform was soaked and dirty, caked with titan blood and mud, his blades broken and to top it all off, he was suffering a few injuries.

Belle's eyes began to tear up as she crawled over to her brother, not noticing one abnormal advancing towards the siblings.

"Claudius...mon frére..."

After reaching him and cradling his injured body in her arms, Belle was relieved to see he was breathing, stroking his raven hair before seeing the abnormal. Belle had already ran out of gas and her blades were used up.

'Oh well...this looks like the end...Claudius, my family, my friends, Levi...'

Suddenly out of nowhere, the abnormal felt a fist collide with its face when it seemed it was all over for Belle. Looking up, she saw a 15 meter class titan face to face with the abnormal it punched. It had brown hair that seemed to graze its shoulders, a wide mouth, showing its teeth and sunken turquoise eyes.

'Did that titan save us?'

The brown haired titan gave out a huge roar before charging to tear the abnormal to pieces, punching it and stomping on it.

Belle witnessed the whole carnage until the abnormal was no more. She felt fatigued from searching for her brother, her eyes began to suddenly close as she began to hear voices, but not before giving the titan one look, followed by a grateful smile.

"Thank you..."

~~~

"The Boyers are alright, sir. They both look messed up but Claudius is in really bad shape." Lorenzo informed Levi and the others.

"Good. Take him to the medical room when we get back to HQ." Levi ordered.

"What about Belle, sir?" Asked Iona, concerned.

"Cadet O'Brien checked on her. She's only recieved minor injuries. Nothing broken, sprained or dislocated." Answered Levi.

"Alright, the siblings are rescued. Cadets Ackerman and Arlert, load Jaeger onto a wagon and make sure he gets some rest. Titan shifting tired him out." Ordered Hanji.

Mikasa and Armin nodded and carried a tired Eren to the nearest cart, laying him down on a blanket to rest.

"Okay, the wagons are loaded and everyone's in one piece. Back to HQ!" Called Lorenzo.

The cadets mounted on their horses. Iona and Lee tended to Belle's dappled grey as they trotted through the field to reach the gate on their way back to HQ.

Throughout their journey back, Levi took a moment to look back, his grey eyes falling upon an unconscious Belle. Her brown hair was dishevelled from the heavy rain, strands of hair coming out of her ponytail and her face was adorned with droplets as her uniform and cloak were caked with mud along with her boots and her harness was a tangled mess. She looked really messed up and needed tending to when they returned. A soft 'Tch' escaped his lips as the rain had ceased and it was nearing midnight.

'She acted so reckless out there..almost getting herself killed, saving her brother...I almost lost her...'

Turning away, Levi's gaze focused in the direction, they were heading towards, the wall getting closer and closer as the other cadets were whispering their concerns for Belle and Claudius' wellbeing, even Kristof who was trying to warm her hands up.

"I'll tend to her when we get back, cadet O'Brien. Any cadet is willing to volunteer to tend to Claudius." Levi informed the others.

"Yes, sir." The cadets answered un unison.

~~~

"Commander Erwin, they've returned." Informed Moblit.

Erwin nodded and left his office on his way to the courtyard, awaiting their arrival of Levi and the others. Standing by the entrance, the commander kept an eye out for them until he heard the sounds of the horses trotting and the wagons being pulled until they came to a complete stop.

As Erwin came to greet the others, congratulating them on their safe return, he spotted Levi walking towards the entrance, carrying an unconscious Belle in his arms, in the manner of a bridegroom carrying his bride, cradled against his chest and her arms and legs dangling as her head was lolled back.

"The captain's going to tend to cadet Boyer, sir. A few minor injuries but nothing too serious. I'm gonna need some cadets to help carry Claudius to the infirmary." Ordered Lorenzo.

A group of volunteers nodded as Iona and Lee arrived with a stretcher as Reiner and Bertolt carefully picked up Claudius by the legs and shoulders and gently laid him down.

"Good, now to bring him to the infirmary." Ordered Hanji as she and Lorenzo began leading the others to the infirmary.

As everyone was putting the wagons away and leading the horses back to the stables, Kristof stood, worry plastered on his face for his best friend, he had confided in.

"Please make it alright, Belle. I'm counting on you."

Feeling a hand gently touching his shoulder, he turned to see Erwin, offering him a comforting reassuring smile at this very moment.

"She'll be okay, cadet O'Brien. Levi will be tending to her."

Kristof nodded and smiled in return before they both went back inside HQ before going to bed for the night.

After all the cadets went through, they deserve a good night's sleep.