...Honoring...
Once Armin woke up, Eren explained everything to him.
The sun was out at midday, and you were all on the top of the walls, taking a break. Besides Armin, Sasha was resting after taking a hit to the head.
"But why, Captain? Why would you pick me? Commander Erwin was the one humanity needed the mostâit can't be me."
"Tch." Levi lightly kicked Eren's behind. "I thought I told you to tell him everything, Jaeger. There was a short debate. Your friends argued you were the one we needed to revive. But if you really want someone to blame..." His eyes drifted to you. And so did Armin's.
Your eyes were up at the beaming clouds, acting unbothered. Your shoulder had been bandaged by Mikasa. But your wrist, laying limply on your lap, had been wrapped by none other than Levi himself.
"Sorry," he had said to you.
"Sorry," you had said back.
He understood what you had meant, so no other words needed to be exchanged.
"In short, your three little friends staged a mutiny."
"It's true," said Eren guiltily. "Punish us as you will."
Hange sat across from you, bandages over her eye, as the new Commander. "You'll certainly be disciplined for your insubordination. But getting punished isn't the same as making amends. And as for Y/n...I'm not even sure if she's allowed to be punished. I'm more so not sure if Levi's going to be punished for injuring her since she came here under conditions. Technically, her official royal title ranks her above him, but being Vice Captain places her under him. So I'm in a pickle here."
"We don't have to tell Zachary," you said. "I'll hide it, and if he finds out, I'll say I broke it myself. " You could feel Levi's eyes on the back of your head, but you didn't look back. He was just trying to save his friend. And you were trying to save yours. Difference was that you won. So maybe this trivial win for him would settle things out a little.
Hange stood up. "The rest of you stay here. Keep an eye out for hostiles. Eren, do you still have the key?"
He clutched it around his neck. "I do."
Only five of you left for the basement. You, Eren, Mikasa, with Levi and Hange. Eren followed your eyes to the collapsed gates of the L/n Orphanage, reduced to nothing but rubble. He was reminded of the times when he and you used to talk on opposite sides of those gates. The place where you gave him shitty advice on what to do with kids who deserved a beating. The place where he'd update you on the outside world as often as he could. The place where he and you bonded, despite the steel bars dividing you both.
After five long years, you've all finally arrived at the destination. Eren's house. His and Mikasa's home. The last time you were here was when you left them to find Armin because seeing Grisha again annoyed you.
"No way." Eren crouched down and opened the lid of a cracked box. Inside were four painted rocks, each with a different facial expression.
"They survived?" You took yours out first, a f/c little rock with a smiley face and pointed-down eyebrows. You handed Mikasa hers, a red one with two dots for the eyes and a small line for the mouth. Eren picked out his and Armin's, a green one with an angry face and a blue one with crescent eyes and a big smile. You all slid them into your pockets, definitely bringing them back.
"Oh, those are so cute," commented Hange, grabbing a wooden plank. "Now, can we all help with the boulder on the trap door?"
You and Hange took a plank, and the rest of them took the other, placing it under the boulder to lift it out of the way. Eren opened the trap door, and you all headed down the stone steps. Turned out that his key didn't fit the door, so Levi kicked it open. Inside was Grisha's laboratory, full of doctor things you weren't interested in knowing. Through rummaging, Eren found a drawer with a false bottom. Levi took a green book out.
"If what we were looking for exists, then we've found it," he said.
"After all this time, Dad might finally explain himself." Eren placed his hand on the cover, but he was hesitating. So you put your hand on it, too, just above his. And Mikasa put hers right above yours. The three of you opened it together. On the back of the cover was a small drawing that looked disturbingly too detailed.
"Is it a painting?" asked Eren.
"No, this is far too intricate to have been drawn by a human hand," said Hange. She flipped it over and read off the back, calling it a "photograph," formed by light, lenses, and all the things that confused you.
You all took your seats on the floor as Hange began reading it aloud, starting from page one.
* . * .
A walls-wide celebration waited for all of you when you returned. Flowers, treats, and all sorts of goodies were thrown all over you as you strolled the streets on your horses. You'd even gathered a small pile of things on your lap.
You picked a rose with a long stem. "Hey, Jean! Catch!"
He caught it, raising a brow, puzzled. "Aren't you supposed to give it to Eren? Or the other way around?"
"Put it in between your teeth. Like this." You took a pink flower and placed the stem between your teeth.
Jean imitated your action with the rose, causing you and your friends to burst out cackling. He immediately spat it out. "Not the horse bullshit again! God! Get over it already!"
You picked out another flower with white petals. "Hey, Leviâ"
"No."
"Come on! Just catch!"
But he wouldn't even turn around from the front of the trail. Hange did, though. "I'll catch it for him, Y/n!"
You tossed it over. "Stick it behind his ear!"
Levi quickly guided his horse away from her. "I will break your wrist too, Glasses. And you." He turned over his shoulder with a tired scowl. "Do you ever know when to settle down? Not even for a day? Or half? Or one damn minute?"
"No?"
He let out an irritated sigh. "Play amongst yourselves. And do not include me. Please."
Deciding that bothering him was too uneventful, you turned to Eren. He was turned away from you, looking like his hands were busy with something. "Eren, what're you doing over there?"
"One second," he told you. Once he turned back around, in his hands held a crown of vines embedded with a variety of pretty flowers and luscious leaves.
You gasped. "That's beautiful! Put it on!"
He scoffed, staring at you in disbelief. "No, you dumbass! It's for you!"
Your mouth parted open. "Oh." You dipped your head, and he set the crown on it. With your good hand, you adjusted it so that it wouldn't fall. You made a genuine smile just for him. "Thank you."
"No problem, you dense shit."
"What was that?!"
"Nothing!"
That sparked another round of bickering between the two of you the entire way back to HQ, and although little insults here and there slipped out of your tongues, you both had joyous grins gracing your faces.
. *
. *
"Build a family after you've entered the walls."
"What are you talking about? I'm still married to Dina. And you're about to transform me, so wouldn't I forget everything you're telling me now, anyway?"
"That's not always the case," said Kruger, injecting the serum into the syringe. "And it's possible someone else will see it. Be it your wife, your child, or even a stranger. Love someone in those walls. If you can't do that, history will only repeat itself. You have to see this through. Complete your mission to save Mikasa and Armin...and let Y/n do what must be done."
Grisha turned over his shoulder. "Mikasa? Armin? And Y/n? Who are they?"
Kruger was hesitant to respond. "I don't know. They aren't from my memories. All I know is...her name will be Y/n Fritz-Ackerman."
"That can't be! That traitor of a prince was killed for all his wrongdoings! He couldn't have survived to have descendants!"
Kruger shrugged. "Perhaps I'm just a fool believing in unwarranted visions," mumbled Kruger. "Though I think one day, she will exist. Just not right now. It's too soon."
"Will she disgrace and destroy our people again? Force our people to be backed into the corner of the world until we are no more?"
"Well, you know what the books from the restorationists say. The Fritzs are the rulers. The Ackermans are the servers. But the Fritz-Ackerman is both; they serve no one except themself. Hopefully, the next one will be more considerate. Maybe she'll spare us this time, unlike her predecessor. Or she'll do what he couldn't do: take the life of the Founder with her."
* .
* .
Armin snuck you out of your room the following night.
When you all had reached Trost, Eren and Mikasa were taken down to the dungeons for insubordination. You had forgotten that you even had to hide your broken wrist, so Zachary managed to "confine" you for the time being to the massive bedroom on the top floor that was usually meant for higher-ups. That lasted for about a day only.
Since no guards deployed at night, you successfully picked the locks of their cells. You sat in between Mikasa and Eren on his bed while Armin took the chair, taking out his pen and paper. He was starting his job early of documenting Eren's dreams, since he was beginning to receive Grisha's memories of his life outside the walls. One talked, one wrote, and two listened.
"Wait. Backtrack," interrupted Armin, flipping back a page. "What did Kruger say about the thirteen years?"
"The Titan Shifters all perish after thirteen years," said Eren quietly. "He said that was the rule, called the 'Curse of Ymir.' The first titan, Ymir, died that long after getting her powers. Since none can surpass her, we have to do the same. If someone of the powers of one of the nine should die without passing it on to a successor, the power will be inherited by a baby, a Subject of Ymir, born after that death."
"So I have thirteen years left to live," said Armin, turning to Eren. "And you..."
"I've only got eight left. Not even."
Kruger's words replayed again and again in his mind. Complete your mission to save Mikasa and Armin...and let Y/n do what must be done. Somehow, Eren Kruger, likely his namesake, foresaw you all from the past. He wanted Mikasa and Armin to be saved, but what did he mean with Y/n?
"No," said Mikasa, firmly shaking her head. "That can't be true. There must've been a mistake."
"It's not," muttered Eren. "It's the truth."
Armin noticed you were the only one who hadn't yet spoken a word. "Y/n, are you okayâ"
You abruptly stood up. "Armin, I think it's time to go. It's getting late."
"Oh..." Armin organized his stack of papers and took his pen, blowing out the candle. "Sorry, we could only visit for the time being. Can't let you guys out yet. But tomorrow, Hange and Levi will ask to have you let out."
Just as you locked Eren's cell, his hand wrapped around yours from behind the bars. "Y/n, can we talk about thisâ"
"Good night, Eren," you said, sending him a quick, small smile. You followed after Mikasa to lock hers. "Good night to you, too, Mikasa." Then, you made your way up the stairs without looking back.
"You're doing it again," said Armin, keeping up behind you.
"What am I doing? I'm not doing anything."
"You're avoiding," he said. "You always do this when you don't know how to deal with your emotions properly."
A laugh escaped from your lips that accidentally came out way more nervous than you had intended. "You think I don't know that?"
"But you can't keep doing this forever."
"Armin, I bet you're so tired right now, aren't you? Let's talk tomorrow when we're both rested, okay?" You left him on his floor to head up to the top.
Once you got to your room, you face-planted onto the massive bed that was too big for you and could probably fit all your friends.
Throughout the entire night, you tossed and turned, desperately trying to shake out Eren's words. He had eight years left. Only eight. Armin had thirteen. Only thirteen. Only Mikasa would be left.
You were utterly conflicted about what to do. You couldn't even imagine a world without Eren nor Armin. But you couldn't ever imagine leaving Mikasa behind, all alone, either. Once again, you found yourself placed in the middle of difficult decisions. You knew you had two choices: join Eren and Armin in death or keep Mikasa company.
You were yet to find an alternative, and you hoped you could soon. Because this was not the life you envisioned yourself living in. We were all supposed to live together forever.
. * . *
The next morning, you and Armin joined Hange and Levi back into the dungeons. Upon nearing Eren's cell, he was already leaned up against the wall, hand on his chin, muttering something.
"Who're you posing for?" asked Hange.
"Huh? I'm not posing."
She imitated his pose and lowered her voice, repeating, "'It's called the Attack Titan.' That's what you just did, remember?"
"No?"
"You just did! Y/n saw it, right?"
"Right."
"Is that the name of your titan or something? Are you practicing ways to introduce him or..."
"Let it go, Hange," said Levi. "He's fifteen. We all go through a phase like this."
"A phase where we mutter weird shit while posing? Y/n, did you have a phase like that?"
"Not as embarrassing."
"I'm not embarrassing!"
"Then are you just trying to look cool for Y/nâ"
He groaned. "What the hell do you guys want?"
Levi unlocked the door. "Get out."
"But I'm not done. I still have ten full days left."
"Not done? Doesn't seem like the first time you'd leave. This cell has been unlocked before, hasn't it?" He glanced over at you and Armin. "Anyone care to explain, or do you want me to turn a blind eye?"
"Turn a blind eye," all of you said.
"We talked it all over with Premier Zachary, so don't worry," said Hange. "Y/n even got Historia to convince him, so you two are free as birds."
You unlocked Mikasa's cell and giggled when you saw her. "Did a bird make a nest in your hair and lay eggs?"
"Shut up," she muttered, rubbing her eyes. "Beats having long hair like yours, always getting tangled."
Upon a closer look, she must've lost some weight, as her cheekbones were more prominent. Instead of pointing it out, you put an arm around her shoulder. "It reminds meâI've still got treats leftover from the parade that I can't finish myself. You should take some before I pass it to Sasha."
"Thanks," she said, smiling because she understood you were trying to help.
"Go and get dressed," said Levi. "State meeting. Her Majesty has come to Trost."
Eren's eyes trailed behind you up the stairs. By now, he understood this side of yours much better. You hated confrontation and often turned to avoidance. If it had been about anything else, he would've fought to sort it out immediately with you, or at least tried to. But this was about his own years, his own life. He hadn't even sorted it out with himself. So, for the time being, he stayed silent.
Upon opening the door of the office, Historia was by the window, wiping her cheeks of what looked to be tears. She smiled and walked over.
"Your Grace," greeted your friends, bowing.
"Oh, stop it, please. I'm not actually ruling yet. If you're going to bow to me, at least bow to Y/n, too."
"Don't you guys dare."
She chuckled and picked up a folded white cloth off the table. "Here's your cape, Y/n. I've got my cape already."
"What? Why would I need a cape?"
"Royal customs," she said, unfolding it, holding it up. The crest of the Survey Corps was engraved on the back, which was different from hers with the MP crest.
You reluctantly accepted it. "This is so unnecessary," you muttered as you buttoned up the collar.
"You've all been through so much. Meanwhile, I've been doing nothing except waiting and watching the southern sky."
"You've been taking care of the orphans; that's not doing nothing," you told her. "I should really thank you for that, though. If I were Queen and had to wait behind the walls, I'd go insane. You hold up better than I'll ever. So thanks." You gave her a pat on the back. She snorted.
Walking into the stateroom, all the officials inclined their heads as you walked past them. Historia sat in the middle on a tall seat, with Zachary and someone else beside her. You sat next to Hange in the first row, and Levi sat on her other side. The rest of your friends sat in the rows behind you, with the absence of Sasha, who was recovering in her room with the stash of treats you sent her.
"The Early Life of Grisha Jaeger, The Extent of Our Knowledge of Titans and Their History, and Information About the World Beyond the Walls. The only people who know these books exist are those in this room now," spoke Zachary, referring to the three notebooks in front of Historia. "These texts were obtained through the efforts of the ten Scouts before us and the one-hundred-ninety-nine others who were lost. On this day, and in the Queen and the Princess's presences, I'd like for all of us to assess our situation and come to an agreement about our next course of action."
As Hange was stating her case, sharing everything she'd analyzed from the books, Eren found himself retracing back to his own memories to any day that raised the alarm. He traveled to the day he first controlled those titans. Simultaneously, Grisha's memory flashed before him. A woman. His previous wife, Dina Fritz.
He slammed his hands on the desk. "There's no way!" Everyone turned to him, including you.
"Good lord, you scared me," said Hange, setting a hand on her chest. "Eren, what's wrong?"
"Oh, uh... actually, it's nothing." Eren settled back down. "Sorry for interrupting, Commander."
"Oh, I see now." Hange clearly understood something deeper that drove that impulsive action, but she turned back to Zachary. "Don't mind him, Premier. It appears that Jaeger is going through an awkward phase. He speaks out of turn and often makes a nuisance of himself. Not to mention, his pressure to be 'cool' has increased ever since beginning his romantic relationship with Her Highness."
You snapped your head to her, eyes wide in horror. "Hange, what?"
Zachary hummed, amused. "Is that so? I see. Not only is he at that age, but he feels the pressure of being romantically involved with royalty. Understandable."
You dragged a hand down your face as your friends giggled behind you. You could understand why Hange did that, redirecting the attention off of Eren by pinning it on you. Didn't annoy you any less.
But no matter what, Eren couldn't help but dive even deeper into his mind until it reached back to the memory when Kruger mentioned you. Let Y/n do what must be done. Then he traced to what Rod Reiss had said, that the Fritz-Ackerman couldn't control the powers of the Founder, but the person in power. When has she ever controlled me? Another memory flashed before him. During Hange's first experiment, you touched his cheek. That was the first day he failed to turn into a titan.
A loud gasp escaped from him, and he slapped his hands over his mouth. Everyone once again turned to him. "I'm sorryâthat was an accident. Again."
"Jaeger, I understand you are but a teenager; however, you will be removed from this room upon further interruptions."
"Yes, sir. I understand."
You glanced over your shoulder. What the hell is his deal?
At the end of this entire state meeting, a decision was reached. The whole truth behind the secret of humanity would be released to all people of the walls.
The following morning was the Honoring Ceremony. You arrived later than your friends because you were forced back into your "official" clothes, the white gown you wore on coronation day, with the same hairstyle, powdered cheeks, and painted lips. And, of course, the dark blue cape and the diadem.
When you approached them, Floch was talking to Armin. Didn't look like the most civil conversation. Neither did it sound like one, either. "What's happening here?" you asked.
"It's nothing, Your Highness," said Floch, bowing his head.
"No, it's not nothing," you said, stepping in between him and Armin. "I heard what you said. You think that Armin shouldn't have been the one to take the injection."
Floch ducked his head, glaring at Armin.
You tilted your head. "Why're you looking at him? Look at me." So he did. "You have a problem with my decision?"
"No, Your Highness," he muttered.
"You were there that day, weren't you? You saw it all. I wanted Armin to take the injection. I convinced Levi. I made the decision. You want someone to blame? Blame me. It's his fault, you say? No, it's mine. Don't go blind, Floch. You're not Commander Hange, not even near her level. And even with one eye, she sees better than you ever have."
He huffed in frustration and walked off. Maybe if you didn't have your title, he would've argued back. Nonetheless, it counted as your win.
"Y/n, you didn't have toâ"
"And you." You turned to Armin, eyes stern. "When the hell will you learn to stand your ground?" He took a step back, clamping his mouth shut. "I don't care if you don't feel like you'll ever fit into Erwin's shoes or not. It wasn't your decision, and it's not your fault to feel. Pin the blame on me for all I care. But don't you shut up and take it ever again. You hear me?"
Armin didn't meet your eyes, and the rest of your friends were too surprised by your rare seriousness to step in. One could argue you had been a bit too harsh. But you've seen him be bullied ever since you've known him. And you would always be there to save him, but what if you weren't there? He should be able to save himself for his own sake.
"Line up," said Levi, nodding to the doors. "Y/n, you're up first."
Inside the hall, the ten survivors kneeled on the steps, hands placed over your hearts. You kneeled front and center, in between Levi and Eren. Historia took the first medallion off the cushion and put it around Hange's neck. Then Hange kissed the back of her hand, and Historia moved on to Levi.
When it was your turn, she put the medallion around your neck. Instead of kissing her hand, you took it and stood up. You turned around to face the rest of the soldiers, and they all inclined their heads, bowing. Then you kneeled back down, and she continued to Eren next.
But once he kissed her hand, he paused. Within a moment, everyone noticed that he hadn't yet let go of Historia's hand. Then he snapped out of it, letting go, muttering a quick sorry. But from his eyes, you could tell there was something deadly wrong.
* . * .
The Marleyan medics rushed Reiner into the hospital. Not because there were any wounds that he couldn't heal himself but because the medic on the ship deemed him temporarily mentally unstable.
Zeke waited outside the room. He didn't look up from a pamphlet until somebody else took the seat next to him.
"How's Braun holding up?"
"He'll be alright. It's temporary. He's not actually 'damaged brain goods,'" he said. "Have you gotten my letter yet?"
General Magath nodded, eyes kept forward. "I already knew about the Prince Fritz-Ackerman of Old Eldia from ancient files. There wasn't much to begin with, just that he existed and betrayed his homeland for Marley before he was killed. But what you're claiming is that there is another."
"There's no doubt about it. I saw with my own eyes how she stopped my control of the titans with her blood-smeared hand. The only explanation for this mysterious use of power is that it belongs to a Fritz-Ackerman. It is otherwise unreasonable, sir."
"Well, in any case, Lord Tybur would like to meet her very much. But what I'm concerned about is her use for us. Indeed, her predecessor won the war for us, but how are we so sure this Fritz-Ackerman will do the same? How are we sure that Paradis themself hasn't made her their weapon yet?"
"Well, for starters, she would never have lived another day if the Island Devils knew who she was. The titans use their powers. The Fritz-Ackerman stops it. She has no good use for them."
"How are you planning to convince her?"
"With the truth, of course. That her own people were meant to hate her. And she was meant to be the world's hero. Should the whole truth not be enough, there may be methods needed to require force. But she will end up serving for our cause anyway."
"What do you suggest?"
"That I return to Paradis. I'll prioritize capturing her over the Founder first. We must first secure the weapon and then nail the target."
Magath stroked his chin, and his brows were twisted in pensiveness. "I'll think about this. I need approval from the board first. When are you planning to carry out this mission?"
"Soon," said Zeke. "Hopefully soon."
*
everybody wants u girl ð
also we over the 100k word mark
oh btw watch out for some lil angst next chap