Change (AOT x reader)

Chapter 7: Loss

« Armin!! » I shouted at Armin, I wanted to wave at him at first but my injuries prohibited me to. It was painful but when I saw that he was doing fine all melted away. The reason why I'm a bit attracted to Armin is because he reminds me of myself when I was younger, full of energy and wants to know everything. Though I still have the lust of discovery in me, but a lot has changed that made me careless and blunt at times. Armin puts other peoples' problems before his and results in others stepping all over him, I envy him for that.

He smiled at me and ran towards me," How are you feeling? You've been out for 6 hours, i was...um I mean everyone was worried about you" he stuttered slightly while blushing and I couldn't help but giggle even though it hurt like hell. "Thank you for treating my injuries by the way, couldn't have made it without you" I smiled at him and his blush deepened "A-Anyways, you must be hungry, h-here!" he handed me a cracker and that's when I realized that I was indeed very hungry, it was stale and tasted like shit but it was the only way to fill me up.

I thanked Armin again and asked him to fill me up with what I missed, he told me that Eren and Ymir got kidnapped by Berthold and Reiner and they were planning an expedition to save him that's why Erwin was at the scene. The core intention of kidnapping him is to take him back to their hometown. I was not already sick of everything I couldn't even brainstorm nor have any breakthroughs because I'm tied up and constantly worrying about my life. I'm pretty sure that's how the others feel.

"All I care about is for all of us to get back safe, how is Mikasa by the way?" He got quiet and huffed.

"If you didn't help her she could've died. I'm forever grateful for that" he scratched the back of his neck then looked at her, I mimicked his action just to see Mikasa eating her food while talking to the man with blond hair from the garrison. We decided to join her"That was for the best you know" he added, my attention was now on him. i immediately knew what he was implying, they didn't trust me. No one trusted me, I'm not dumb I did notice the suspicious glances Hanji gave me whenever I try to do something or say something.

"It was to be expected though, if someone showed up out of thin air I wouldn't lower my guard down "I looked at him dead in the eye" what I can say, I showed up in the wrong place and the wrong time"

"Do you think you'll be able to fight?"

"I'll get some painkillers if needed, as in for now I'm feeling a lot better"

" I'm finding it really hard to focus right now"

"How so?"

"it's just... I really want Eren to be back safe and I.. It's just I want him to see the ocean with me"

"Don't worry Armin even if we don't manage to bring him back, he will probably see the ocean"

Armin gave me a look and stopped in his tracks, I giggled and put both of my hands on his shoulders starteling him in the process "Listen I was just messing with you, we will get you friend back don't worry. I'm sure he'll be fine, and maybe he'll bring us some informations too. So it's a win-win situation. Kind of?" I don't get why I sounded so unsure of myself. I personally don't know how I'm getting back alive.

All I know is that I'm a liar because I'm not feeling a lot better my skin feels like it would fall off any moment. Did I mention how hard it is to just move, let alone use my gear or ride a horse? Let's just get this over with so I can go back to the head quarters make myself a cup of fucking tea and RELAX FOR ONCE.

...

...

...

So... We got Eren back but everything seemed to go downhill from there, it didn't look good at all. First of all the blow was so powerfull that most of the soldiers were injured prior to anything. Even Mikasa the most brilliant cadet, so we were all simply fucked. The commander's arm got bit off clean, I cringe at the thought of it.I'm ready to just give up and let the titans eat me, it's not like I could put up a fight. Not only I was injured prior to the expedition but I managed to get myself even more hurt and bust my gear at the same fricking time.

Armin was holding Jean with one hand while the other was shaking holding his blade, Eren and Mikasa were talking, Eren was losing his shit and trying to transform while Mikasa was talking to him.it looked like whatever she was saying was so important that they don't notice the titans coming their way. Or was it intentional? Are they aware of the situation? Perhaps accepting this unfair fate?

A little hope was restored when a man from the garrison came for their rescue, but luck wasn't on his side. The titan violently grabbed him and aggressively shoved him in its mouth. I closed my eyes letting some tears drop, I guess this is good bye. I laid there face first on the grass, my body still burning.

That apparently was Eren's breaking point he ran to the titan and punched its hand. It had no impact on the titan what's so ever. But it looks like I judged a bit too fast. All of the titans ran towards the smiling titan and let nothing in it. It looked like everything was connected for a second there. Then they all ran towards Reiner who was on the midst of escaping with Berthold . But the biggest shocker was Ymir joining the enemy; I didn't care because I didn't get to know her personally so I won't judge her choice.

Even though we managed to finish our task and bring Eren back it felt more of a loss than a win.