Hand in Hand

2. Trust

No one seemed to mind the musky scent of day-old clothing and sweat that lingered in the air of Ermich. Bustles of families herded the streets seeking shelter. The Military Police's shouting did nothing to calm the panic and confusion. It was still night, feet were hurting from travel, baby's cried out in hunger, and trust in the everyday routine of life was starting to be questioned. Oh, how fragile even the largest of men seemed to be once the walls that encased their worlds seemed to be crumbling.

"They were forced here because of the breach in Wall Rose, weren't they?" Asked (y/n), to no one in particular.

It was Levi who answered. "Yeah, as a safety precaution. This is what happens when the walls fail. People are either stripped from their lives and shoved into an entirely new district, and that's if they're lucky, or, if there isn't enough time for a warning, people die."

Closing his eyes, Pastor Nick turned away to walk towards Hanji. Levi reached up and grabbed him by the collar, turning his body towards the masses. "I don't know if you've noticed Pastor, but all these people are the result of the failure of everything you've tried to protect. I hope your conscious will be able to handle the fact that what you tell us can either result in their death or their survival."

(Y/n) shook her head and took a deep breath as she, Levi, and Pastor Nick followed Hanji and the rookies into an old building away from the crowds. It was a Survey Corps base used to house old weapons and food rations. The inside was dimly lit from torches on the walls and moonlight, brought in by the building's roofless structure. Stone walls made the air cold which only added to the sickly ambiance of Ermich.

Hanji turned around to face Pastor Nick. "Well, have you seen the light yet?"

Even with six pairs of eyes on him, Pastor Nick stayed silent.

"Oh my God! Make up your mind. This isn't some spiritual test, the answer is right in front of you. Have you no sympathy? Did we see differently coming into Ermich? Lives are on the line!"

"I can not offer you the answer you are looking for..." Pastor Nick trailed off. "I am to abide by the sacred will and- well my faith commands me to obey."

"Who's sacred will would that be? Are you telling me God is going to be mad at you if you tell us your secret?" (Y/n) sarcastically chimed in.

"I can only provide you with a name. This person was instructed to be monitored by the divine wisdom himself."

"What in hell's name do you mean by monitor? You some sort of babysitting service now?" Levi had walked from behind Pastor Nick to where Hanji and (y/n) were standing to face him. Eren, Armin, and Mikasa stood in back of them.

Pastor Nick looked at the Scouts in fear but still, he continued. "You know this person. They enlisted with the Scout Regiment this year. Her name is Christa Lenz and she-"

"I have an important message!"

Everybody's heads whipped around to find one Sasha Braus panting in the doorway. "Section Commander Hanji my name is Sasha Braus and, um, Commander Erwin entrusted me to give this to you." Sasha blinked cluelessly at the cadets staring at her. "Oh yeah, and I'm with the 104th cadet corps!"

"What the hell..." Hanji stared at the wall in disbelief, completely ignoring Sasha.

'What the hell do I do now?' She thought. 'If this girl is with the 104th cadet corps then that means she's on the front lines right now. What if she's already dead?'

Taking the letter from Sasha, (y/n) placed a hand on Hanji's back. "Hey, it'll be all right. We know what we have to do so just try to have a little faith in us." Turning to Eren and Mikasa she added, "Suit up. We'll be leaving soon. From Erwin's letter, it looks like Nanaba's squad isn't doing so hot so they'll be needing reinforcements."

"Yes ma'am!" Mikasa and Eren shouted in unison before suiting up.

"Thank you," Hanji said, pulling (y/n) into a hug. "I lost my nerve for a moment but you're right, we need to leave." Pulling back, Hanji fixed her glasses and added, "Armin, once you're dressed go get Moblit and tell him to ready five horses along with any cadets nearby."

"Okay, got it!"

"Hanji we need six horses, not five. I know you're vision is off but hearing is another issue," (Y/n) teased.

"(Y/n), come here."

Grabbing (y/n) by the wrist, Hanji dragged her to the other side of the base. "Five horses is all we need. You're staying back with Levi to watch Pastor Nick. I don't need you tonight, I'm sure we'll be able to handle the mission."

"You want me to stay in this rotting building with captain Levi? You know, I never took stand up comedy as one of 'Hanji's hobbies' but I'll take note and start gearing up." (Y/n) laughed as she started to walk towards the other cadets but Hanji moved in front of her.

Hanji snatched (y/n)'s arm and pulled her body flush with her own. Quietly she said, "If reprimanding a four-year experienced cadet is what I need to do, I'll be more than glad to. Maybe I'd rather have you with me tonight but I want you to rest. You're my special experiment, so don't think I don't watch your every move. End of discussion."

Embarrassment crept into her mind and (y/n) yanked her arm free. "Got it. Just don't die tonight."

Hanji placed her hands on her hips and cheesed. "Don't you trust me? When I go, I'll go in an epic blazing fury, fighting until my last breath."

The look on (y/n)'s face told Hanji that she wasn't joking. It was uncommon that the two weren't fighting alongside each other.

"But anyway," Hanji softly smiled at her subordinate. "I don't think I could die if I wasn't fighting beside you. Don't tell Moblit I said that!"

Hanji ran towards the rookies and Moblit, who were already suited up with ODM gear. The horses had been prepared and other cadets were waiting for them outside. (Y/n) watched as they rode away out of Ermich in the dead of night, a blazing torch in every hand.

'You idiot, of course, I trust you,' (y/n) thought sadly.

"Come on, let's go."

(Y/n) looked up to see Levi leading Pastor Nick towards a hall and followed them, hoping there was a place where she could just get some rest.