STRONGEST HOPE (ERERI❤RIREN)

CHAPTER 39 - THE FIGHT (PART TWO)

Suddenly the trees to the north began thrashing about to reveal what appeared to be a 15-meter titan heading straight towards them. "Armin, now!" Erwin yelled.

Armin fumbled with the handle of the flare gun and raised it above his head. Pulling the trigger, a sharp line of black smoke rocketed into the air with a loud pop. "He's coming fast commander! Can you use your gear?" Armin's blond bob saucered out as he turned his head in desperation towards Erwin.

"Yeah!" Erwin tugged on his straps around his bad arm. "You go first, little one." He smiled at Armin and stepped in front of him to give him more time.

"I'm not leaving you, old man!" he panted, perched on the outside of the balcony. "Let's go!"

Before either could think of jumping, the titan lunged forward from the forest trees, its huge hand skimming the top of the castle wall 100 feet in front of the frozen boy.

"Armin! Watch out!" Erwin's yell reached his ears, at the same time the man's hand grasped the boy and tossed him to the side like a rag doll, bouncing and sliding across the stone floor. The titan's fingers brushed past where he had just stood and yanked the commander out of the air instead.

Out of the corner of Armin's eye he saw another huge figure go horizontal in the air, its blue/green eyes trained on his face and his fingers just seconds behind the titan's. Eren's titan roar and Armin's cry erupted into the air at the same time. Levi could see the desperate scene ahead of him and was rushed forward as fast as his gas could propel him.

As the titan held Erwin's body in its hand, Eren brought his own hand up to encircle it, hoping to soften the blow.

Out of nowhere a new legion of titans swarmed from the trees towards the fight before them. Above them on the castle wall, Armin lay on his stomach screaming Erwin's name with one arm outstretched and the other arm twisted unnaturally behind him. Levi's eyes welled up with tears. So much to lose in this scene before him. No time to think.

Still screeching, Eren pinned the titan to the ground, holding firmly to the hand that held Erwin tightly. He could see the Commander's eyes flutter open and hear the words, "Leave me!" Eren would never do that as he glanced up at his best friend crying and begging, "Eren, please!"

He dug his knee into the stomach of the beast and twisted the wrist below the fist that held Erwin. Eren howled at the effort, but in moments his efforts were rewarded. The hand that held the Commander captive turned loose with one last twist. The hand dropped to the ground releasing a crumpled Erwin as he rolled into the soft grass.

Eren looked to his side to see the man's body laying still and turned back to deal a blow to the titan's head by slamming it against the ground. Armin sobbed and nodded his head in gratitude as Levi swooped in to dispatch the titans that got the closest to Erwin laying helpless on the ground. With one last thwack on the ground, the head of the titan that had grabbed Erwin rolled off into the forest.

Mikasa and Jean dropped from the trees onto the remaining titans, helping Levi to slice through the rest of them still milling about. Eren slowly got up and walked to the castle balcony, putting his hand out for the sobbing Armin to crawl into. He ran his thumb gently over the boy's head and placed him on the ground next to his love. The boy threw his arm over the Commander and laid his head on the man's chest. Levi landed next to him and got down on his hands and knees, covering Armin's hand with his own. He yelled to the top of the wall, "He's still breathing!"

Nodding their head vigorously, tears streaming from their eyes, Hange called to Eren and he turned to them, tilting his head, his eyes rimmed with tears. "Eren, give this board to Levi and Mikasa to put the commander on." He nodded and laid the board next to the soldiers below. Hange yelled down to them, "Stabilize him on the board as best as you can using the straps." Levi and Mikasa nodded to them and turned to Erwin and the boy crumpled on his chest. "Once he's on the board, Eren can carry him back to headquarters."

Below, Levi and Mikasa gently moved the crying Armin away and secured the commander to the board. "Armin, he's alive," Mikasa reassured him, but he shook his head.

"Please just get us home, Mika'," he wept. "He doesn't have much more time."

They looked up at Eren with sad eyes. Large tears rolled off of the titan's nose and plopped noisily next to his best friend. In spite of himself, Armin chuckled. "C'mon, big guy; it'll be okay." Eren nodded and opened his palm.

Once Erwin and Armin were loaded onto Eren's hand, Levi shot up to his shoulder. He lifted a hand and placed it on his lover's cheek. Nuzzling against his hand, Eren closed his eyes. Levi smiled. "Do you think you can keep it steady, babe? We have to keep his head and back straight, okay?"

Eren stood with both hands carrying his precious cargo. He turned south towards home and walked with gentle, wide strides. Hange rode ahead of him as fast as they could, with Mikasa and Levi not far behind.