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Ever since you were a child, you were always called odd. Your parents would occasionally tell stories of the weird things you would ask of them and even kept some of the drawings you made. It was only when you grew up that it started to make sense.
The first time you were able to see into your memories of the past was when you encountered a statue of a soldier who wore a cape, holding blades in each hand. The winged symbol at the back of his cape was what hit you the most, the Wings of Freedom. You could remember it now, just like this statue you were a soldier then too. A soldier in the Survey Corps who proudly wore the wings of freedom and dedicated their lives to exploring the outside world and trying to find out the origin of the titans that once roamed the earth.
Of course that job wasn't a very safe one, as everyday your life was put on the line and no one nor nothing could guarantee your safety. You could vividly remember the feeling of being picked up by a titan as its giant eyes stared into yours before its mouth opened wide to eat you whole.
Since then you visited the statue daily to see if you could regain more of your memories, you also wondered if those from your past life could remember in this life too. Here you stood on a chilly morning, a thick scarf wrapped around your neck with both hands in the pockets of your coat. The statue standing in front of you with a thin layer of snow covering it.
"You must really like that statue, huh? I've seen you pass by almost daily just to stand in front of that thing for a few minutes before leaving." you nearly jumped at the voice that stood behind you. Turning around you saw a tall man in a coat, one gloved hand on his waist and the other pointing at you.
"Kinda creepy of you to be watching me here everyday." you say. The man only lets out a laugh, his deep voice reaching your ears with an odd sense of familiarity.
"It's not creepy if it's the only thing I can see from my workplace. My office is just right there." he points at the 3rd floor of large office building with large windows. He runs a gloved hand through his hair before letting out a deep breath, "You know, if you're that interested in that old thing I may be able to help."
Your eyebrows raise at his offer, not only has this man been watching you for a while but his offer seemed too good to be true. "How do I know that you're not just saying that to bring me to an alley to rob me?"
"Ah," he lets out another laugh as the corners of his eyes crinkle up, "I see that you're suspicious and I don't blame you. But I am sincere."
Reaching into his pockets he pulls out a card, a business card. He hands it to you before turning around to walk away. Even through the gloves you could feel a shock from the touch. "If you're still curious then give me a call. You're not the only person I've seen that's been so attached to that thing."
As the day went on you could barely focus on your work with the man's words lingering in your mind. With his business card in hand you read the name intently, "Jean Kirschtein" you say aloud. Something about that named irked you, it was so familiar and the answer was at the tip of your tongue. Everything from that encounter felt off.
But the thought of your unanswered questions finally being answered only tempted you more, so you reached for the phone on your desk and dialed his number. As the ringing sound played for a few seconds you found yourself tapping your finger on the hardwood table.
"Hello? Jean Kirschtein speaking." you hear from the other line. "I think I'll take you up on your offer, are you free tonight?" you ask him.
The call is quiet for a moment before you hear shuffling of feet and the sound of a chair scraping against the floor. "Uh, yes, sure. I didn't actually think that you would call but I can definitely help you out." was his reply.
"Good. I'll see you then." you say before hanging up. It felt like a weight had been lifted off your shoulders after doing that and you could focus on working, the thought of the meeting getting you through the day.
You find yourself standing by the statue once again, you reach to wipe off some of the snow on the soldier's head before wiping your hand on your coat. The soft street lights hit the statue's shiny surface creating a glow. You turn around once you hear footsteps and there stood Jean waving at you, his cheeks flushed and his lips pale from the cold.
The two of you go to a nearby cafe, having your ordered drinks on the table where you two sat. "The first time I regained my memories was when I met Eren, we were in an argument and when he tried to punch me I caught his hand and it just happened. That was when we were kids and since then I've been seeing everyone. They each had a moment when they saw or touched something that triggered it, I think you're the only one that none of us have seen yet." a small smile creeps up on his face.
"I think it's funny that you're the last one I see since you and I... nevermind, it's not important." he shakes his head and takes a sip of his hot beverage. "If you have any questions, go ahead."
You clear your throat, "Uhm, why exactly is this happening to us? Does everyone here have memories of their past life, and who are your friends? Also that statue out there, who is that?"
Jean was taken aback from your sudden string of questions but brushes it off with a laugh. He is reminded of how you used to act before. "We're unsure too, maybe it has something to do with our Eldian blood which causes us to see these things. I'm assuming that you haven't regained all your memories if you don't know who I'm talking about. As for your last question, that statue is of Levi and he hates it."
"The only memories I have involve titans, mostly me almost being eaten by one. Why is that?" you ask. He purses his lips for a moment as his fingers grip is cup tightly, he looks up at you. His light brown eyes gazing into yours but there's a hint of grief in it.
"That's because you always got yourself into situations like that. In nearly every expedition you somehow get scooped up by a titan while trying to save others, and whenever that happens it's me who ends up saving you." he lets out a sigh, "Do you know how you died?"
You shake your head, "No, I don't think I've gone that far yet. Just snippets of titans and a few moments from the Cadet Corps with blurred faces."
"You uhm, were shot when we fled from Paradis to follow Eren on a plane. Your back was turned and Floch had survived and latched onto the boat the whole way, he shot blindly at the plane's engine tanks and you got... caught in it too." he explains quietly. You feel uncomfortable as he pours his heart out to you as he went on about your death, why couldn't you remember it too?
An hour passes by as he continues telling stories. Eventually, the two of you step outside the cafe and prepare to part ways but not before you drag him back to the statue. This time you have a newfound determination to force yourself to remember, you wanted to remember, you needed to remember. Jean nearly trips when you suddenly tug at him. "Hey, wait! Slow down!" he almost yells.
"No! I have a hunch on how I can get my memories back." you reply and eventually stop right in front of the statue.
"When we met at this statue, something felt different. It annoyed me all day that I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was missing. Hearing you pour yourself out to me about your past life made me feel like shit because I couldn't remember mine and it seemed like I was a big part in yours. When you handed me that card I swear a felt a little electric tingle." you explained exasperatedly.
The man's eyebrows furrow, "Now you just sound crazy. You don't need to force yourself to remember, it's okay. Give it time."
"I don't want to wait! I've been waiting my whole life trying to find the answers, this statue was a stepping stone. Meeting you was a stepping stone. You were only 15 when you regained your memories, and who knows how old the others were? I'm already 22 and I have close to nothing! I'm the last one." frustration gets the best of you as you're shouting in the streets, not even caring if someone heard you.
Jean quickly pulls off his gloves and shoves it in his pockets, his warm hands on your cheeks and his face near yours. "Calm down." he says calmly with a stern tone. Just like that you felt your body go numb as you enter a trance, your past life flashing before your eyes.
Your eyes tear up, wrapping your arms around his torso and bringing your head to his chest. Jean stands there baffled with his arms hesitantly engulfing you.
"I'm so sorry I left you alone." you mumble quietly, "I can't imagine how you felt."
"Huh? No way that actually worked..." he gasps in disbelief, but the look on your face when you pull away from the hug says it all. Tears brim his eyes as he peppers kisses onto your face, "You have no idea how long I've been searching for you. I did everything I could just to see you once again. Do you have any idea what I felt when you said you hadn't remembered anything?" he cries.
"But now I know. We finally have a chance to live a life without war, a quiet life with just the two of us. Like we planned." you hold his hands in yours tightly, "This is our second chance."