The Hollow Crow (Mina Carolina X Reader)

Chapter Five: Flying The Nest

After you touch down with the rest of your peers. You wait silently for Shadis to make his assessment. He slowly looks all of you over with a stern look before clearing his throat.
"Well done. You have all shown something akin to basic motor skills." His eyes dart quickly towards you, Thomas and Mina, the barest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. With a quick intake of breath he continues.
"HOWEVER...THERE IS A SMALL GROUP WHO WILL NOT BE GOING FORWARD WITH THEIR TRAINING. THEY ALL SHOWED POOR JUDGEMENT, ATTEMPTING TO RIG THE OUTCOME OF THIS TEST THROUGH UNDERMINING THEIR FELLOW CADETS! AND WHILST I SHALL NOT DIVULGE THEIR IDENTITIES HERE! THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHO THEY ARE! AND I WILL EXPECT THEM TO HAVE THEIR BAGS PACKED AND READY TO LEAVE BEFORE THE DAY'S END!!!" He looks over the whole group with absolute disgust.
"YOU ARE ALL DISSMISSED!!!" You all salute before heading to your lessons for the rest of the day.
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Nine hours later:
You are sat on your own looking up at a star filled sky. Your jacket draped over your shoulders like always.
"*Sigh."
You let out a sharp breath as you think about the days events. You're sat on your own for quite a while until you hear two sets of footsteps approaching from behind you.
"So...Short, dark and brooding. Whatcha doing?" Mina leans into your face, wearing her usual confident smirk.
"Tch. You're the last person here who should be talking about being short." You stand up to reinforce the fact that you are a good head or so taller than she is. Mina places her hands on her hips, the tiniest hint of a scowl marking her face.
"And what's wrong with that?"

'Clearly struck a nerve there.'

"Hahahaha." Thomas breaks some of the tension with his laughter.
"Just when I thought I could relax. You two would kill each other without me." His eyes suddenly narrow, a grin shooting to his lips.
"Or could this be what they call a...Lovers quarrel?" You quickly turn towards Thomas to protest.
"Shut up Thom..."

"DON'T BE RIDICULOUS THOMAS!!! WE DON'T LIKE EACH OTHER IN THAT WAY!!!" Mina screams her words at max volume, the slightest hint of pink spreading across her cheeks. You shake your head to try and alleviate the ringing in your ears. As Mina continues to try and deflect Thomas's accusations, rather poorly. Finally she turns to you.
"(Y/fn) tell him." You look Mina in the eye. Only to feel heat spread over your cheeks and your mouth dry up. No matter how hard you try, you can't get your eyes to stop moving. Turning your head to the side, you are finally able to get words out your mouth.
"Ummm...Yeah...Not like that." Thomas raises a sceptical eyebrow, clearly your response wasn't very convincing. After staring at you for a few seconds Thomas's face settles into a more serious expression.
"Joking aside guys. I'm really glad that we all made it through this together." Thomas cranes his neck and stares at the stars.
"And I just wanted to say that...I think we should continue supporting each other throughout our training." He slowly turns to face the two of you, holding his fist out towards you.
"What do you say?" Mina quickly jumps up, mostly due to the chance to keep the subject changed. And presses her fist against Thomas's.
"Of course. We'll be the best damn team on this whole course." Both turn to face you, their faces expectant. You stand up, slotting one of your hands into your pocket. Placing your other hand under your chin as you think about the proposition.

'These two aren't going to leave me alone even if I tell them to find someone else.'

You glance back towards Mina and Thomas, both of them are still staring at you, waiting for your answer.
"*Sigh...I guess it makes sense to combine our efforts. Fine then, Thomas. I'll join your little gang." You push your own fist into the triad of hands. Mina and Thomas immediately high five each other, both practically beaming at the other. Their reactions confuse you. Until realisation hits you like a ton of bricks.
"You two planned on me saying yes from the start didn't you?" They both nod, huge grins plastered on their faces. Suddenly memories of Shingashima flood your mind. Specifically when Eren said you and the others would see the ocean together. You feel a lump settle in your throat and your breathing becomes ragged. You quickly pull away from the group and turn your face away from them.
"We...We should go. I'll meet you guys tommorow night...To continue training." You begin walking towards the barracks quickly, whilst trying to conceal your sudden panic.
"Ok...See you both tomorrow." You hear Mina call out to you from behind, slight confusion apparent in her voice. You hear Thomas pull up alongside you.
"What!?!?" You hope your harsh response will be enough to push him away.
"Is everything ok?" You quicken your pace slightly.
"Everything's fine!" Finally, you are able to put enough distance between you that he gives up his chace. And you are free to calm yourself down.