Chapter Text
845
It must have felt nice back then, a stark contrast to the present. Shiganshina was bathed in serene tranquility; villagers' laughter filled the air, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere as they enjoyed the company of their loved ones. This was, of course, long before the looming dread of man-eating titans clawed at the outer walls and cast a shadow over the idyllic life they once knew.
"Hey!" A faint voice broke through your trance, snapping your attention back to the present. Fingers snapped just inches from your face, breaking the spell that had ensnared you.
With a deep, steadying breath, you turned to confront the source of the disruption. Crossing one arm defensively over the other, you shot back, "What?" Your tone was sharper than you intended, laced with frustration.
Your father narrowed his eyes, a mixture of amusement and irritation dancing across his features. "Don't get snappy with me now," he warned, brandishing his spoon like a wand of authority while the rest of your family watched the impending clash with silent curiosity. "Eat."
You rolled your eyes dramatically, lifting your spoon to your bowl of soup. The pungent smell of the bean soup curled into your nostrils, an unpleasant assault that made your face twist in distaste. You couldn't suppress a gag as a wave of nausea washed over you.
Your sister's laughter rang out, bright and teasing. "Y/N? Why are you so picky?" She smiled, shaking her head in disbelief, before turning back to her own plate and nibbling on a small piece of bread.
Muttering under your breath, just loud enough for your mother to hear, you dared to voice your discontent. "Why can't we eat something else?" Heat flooded your cheeks, a rush of embarrassment accompanying your plea. Clenching your skirt tightly, you felt as though you were violating some unspoken rule of obedience.
"Honey," your mother said softly, concern etching her features as she set her spoon down. "This is all we have besides potatoes." A hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes. "I know it's not much, but meat is hard to come by these days."
As your grip on your skirt tightened, you cast your gaze down at the worn floorboards, the heaviness of your guilt tugging at your heart. "I'm sorry, Mom and Dad. I'm just... mad we have to live like this..." A tear slipped down your cheek, a silent testament to both your frustration and your dreams.
How could life feel so confining, so bleak? In your heart, you swore you'd find a way out, a promise to yourself that you wouldn't be tethered to the expectations of a housewife.
Your mother's gaze was filled with sympathy, understanding the fierce desires that burned within you. She remembered the night you had confessed your dreams into the quiet dark, just before she tucked you in: "I want to leave this place and live far away with you guys and Dahlia!" That fierce determination you had shown would forever remain etched in her memory.
Just as the weight of the moment hung in the air, a resounding knock echoed through the house, drawing everyone's attention to the door.
"Dahlia, please go get the door," your father instructed, his voice steady. "Okay!" she replied, brightening as she stood up from her chair.
He watched her closely as she passed by, carefully ensuring she navigated the room without tripping; she had a knack for clumsiness.
With youthful energy, Dahlia opened the door, her expression shifting to one of delight as she greeted the tall figure standing just outside. From the silhouette, you quickly recognized him—a boy around your age. After a brief exchange, she dashed back into the dining room, her smile wide and infectious.
"Y/N! Eren's here for you!" she exclaimed. Your heart soared as excitement surged through you, prompting you to leap from your seat. "Really?" you asked, barely containing your enthusiasm.
"Hey, no running in the house!" your father’s scolding tone followed you as you sprinted toward the door. "Sorry, Dad!" You slowed to a more measured pace, gripping the rim of the wall to steady yourself before you locked eyes with the familiar boy you had known for so long.
Your eyes sparkled, and a beaming grin split your face as you pounced on Eren without hesitation. The firewood he had been carrying tumbled to the ground with a clatter, scattering in all directions.
"Y/N..." He struggled beneath your weight, fingers tangling in your hair as he attempted to embrace you tightly, but soon found it overwhelming. With a flustered push, he carefully released himself from your grip.
"Oh, sorry." You quickly sprang to your feet, realization dawning that you had created a mess. You bent down to gather the scattered firewood, an embarrassed flush creeping onto your cheeks as you handed the pieces back to him.
Eren scratched the back of his neck, his eyes roving over you with a mix of amusement and curiosity. "Right. Apology accepted." He found it hard to stay irritated with you; your energy was a breath of fresh air in his otherwise chaotic life.
A brief silence hung between you before you broke it, curiosity creeping back in. "Where's Mikasa?" You peered around him, searching for the familiar figure who often stood steadfastly by his side.
"About that... we got lost in a huge crowd and separated," he admitted, his tone sheepish. Deep down, you had a clue that Mikasa had grown frustrated and left him to fend for himself—something she often did when annoyed. "I was kinda hoping you would help me find her."
You regarded Eren with amusement. "You're so hopeless, Eren," you replied, a deadpan expression settling on your face, weary of his frequent mishaps.
"What? Did you think I did something?" Eren responded defensively, eyes widening in surprise.
“No.” Narrowing your gaze, you were onto him. "But I guess I’ll help you." After a moment's thought, you relented.
Turning your back to Eren, you carefully opened the door just a crack. "I'm leaving now!" you called out to your parents, letting the door swing closed behind you with a soft click. Watching Eren fall into step beside you, his hands tucked deep in his pockets, you mirrored his pace, excitement thrumming through you.
Eren finally broke the silence. "So, what’s on your mind?" You turned to face him, surprised that he would ask.
You bit your lip, better now than later. "Well, I was thinking about enlisting in the military. What it would feel like..." you said. Suddenly, there was silence. You just knew that he wasn't going to take this lightly. That piercing gaze returned.
"No. That's too dangerous, you're too weak." Ouch. Was that his way of showing he cares for your safety? "Never say that again." His glare remained sharp, boring into your soul.
You let a bitter laugh escape from your lips. "I knew that you'd say that, Eren. But it doesn't matter how many times you try to persuade me." A fragile smile appeared on your face. "I want to be with you. Friends don't leave each other behind." His eyes softened for a moment, and walking beside him completed you.
Eren mumbled something under his breath, too quiet for even you to hear. His expression was more disappointed than anything.
He averted his gaze from you, pulling away. "Just face it already, Y/N. You're not fit to join the Scouts! You'd pee your pants if you saw an actual titan!" His words hit you hard. Maybe he was right. Perhaps there was no place for you beyond these godforsaken walls. "Just do us all a favor and stay in the walls where you belong." Your breath hitched as you sank your head. That drove the nail in the coffin.
Before you knew it, a pair of grey eyes found you and Eren. "Mikasa!" Eren raised his hand high enough for her to see the two of you. He was already moving on, like his words couldn't hurt a fly.
Mikasa nodded, holding onto that same old red scarf she had been wearing for what felt like forever. She gave a slight jog over to the two of us.
"Hi, Mikasa," you said, glancing over at her. A small smile lingered on her face.
"Hey, Y/N.. I'm glad to see someone's keeping Eren in shape while I'm not around." We both shared a laugh as we watched Eren pout like the baby he is. "He hasn't been too much of a problem, has he?" Mikasa asked, and you shook your head.
"Well, he has been causing a little bit of trouble." You continued to tease Eren, and his cheeks turned red with embarrassment. "Ugh...what can I do to help my case?" he questioned.
"Maybe you should be more respectful to Mikasa," You suggested, almost like a faint whisper in his ear. "And me, while you're at it."
"W-What? But I didn't do anything wrong!" Eren protested, trying his best to defend himself, but he was definitely outnumbered here. "Where's Armin when I need him?" he hoped and prayed that his friend would just appear out of thin air.
"Yeah, yeah." You shook your head while Mikasa stared at him, her lips twitching up slightly. Eren decided it was best to let it go and move on. "Let's go find Armin. I'm bored," he confessed.
"Sounds good to me." Mikasa nodded silently, her voice quiet and petite. Eren stormed ahead while you and Mikasa walked a few feet behind him.
Eren glanced back at the two of you, turning to look at you for a moment before turning away again.
After his gaze left you, you turned to face Mikasa. "Do you know what's gotten into him lately?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, puberty?" She questioned. You covered your mouth, trying your best not to laugh. The laugh ended up escaping. "Oh boy, Mikasa, you're so funny." It must've been the way she said it so unintentionally.
Eren's head perked up the second he heard you laughing again. "What's so funny?" He gave you and Mikasa a very perplexed look.
You started to wave him off. "Nothing."
Eren ended up shrugging it off. "Wait, guys! Speed up! I think I see Armin!" He hurried ahead, dropping the firewood he couldn't carry any longer. It scattered across the ground, and you and Mikasa had to avoid it as it got in your way.
"It's Eren!" One of the bullies shouted cockily. "Hey, look who's back for more!" They laughed. "You'd think he would have learned his lesson." They raised their fists. "Give this one to me," one of the bullies said, flinching when he saw Mikasa appear behind him, along with you.
"Oh crap. She's with him." The bullies fell back, sweat pouring down their faces. "Run! Just run!" They squealed like frightened children. You couldn't blame them; Mikasa had a look that could intimidate anyone.
Eren, out of breath, approached the blonde boy lying on the ground. "Heh-heh. That's all it takes. One look. I'm just that scary." You and Mikasa approached moments later, and you both let out a deep sigh.
"Well, one of you is," Armin said, glancing at Mikasa.
Armin tried to stand up but failed and fell back down. Eren extended a helping hand. "Where did they get you, Armin?" he asked. Armin turned his gaze to the ground, refusing Eren's offer of help.
"It's alright. Thank you," Armin replied. You tilted your head to the side. Did Armin always act like this?
Armin, what exactly are you thinking?
⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆
"Mankind's future lies beyond the walls," Armin explained, his voice soft but full of conviction. The rest of us listened in the dappled sunlight, the river babbling quietly nearby, while Mikasa sat at your feet, letting you absentmindedly braid her dark hair. "I doubt they understood half of it, but still."
Eren sat a little ways off, tossing rocks into the river. The stones splashed with a steady rhythm. He grunted, frustration etched across his face. "Idiots," he muttered, and another rock arced into the current. "Why does it have to be this way? Why can't people just let us dream?"
A breeze swept across the city, fluttering Mikasa's red scarf against your cheek. You paused, feeling the chill and the weight of Eren's question. The idea of a dream—something so powerful, so fragile—felt almost sacred.
Armin looked up, hugging his knees to his chest. "The walls are a powerful idea. We've survived for a hundred years because of them. No one's keen on tempting fate."
You nodded, your fingers threading through Mikasa's hair. "I may not agree with that sentiment, but I get it. It's human nature, Eren. Fear shapes everything—even the management. Their policies are just a mirror of that." Armin said.
Mikasa hummed softly, tilting her head up so you could see the gentle smile on her lips. The wind caught her scarf again, brushing it against your jaw. You smiled back. You enjoyed these quiet moments with them.
"He's got a good point, I can't deny," you said, echoing Armin. Eren's expression soured, his mouth pulling into a scowl. You knew he hated when you took Armin's side, instead of his. But this time, the truth was too obvious to ignore.
Eren looked at you, his gaze sharp. "Yeah, the rest of the herd might give in to fear. I say to hell with them!" His words seemed to hang in the air, aimed at you, or maybe at the world.
You remembered what he'd said earlier, the bitterness in his voice: "Just do us all a favor and stay in the walls where you belong."
Mikasa's voice was quiet but firm, breaking the tension. "Someone's going to hear you," she warned, glancing around the empty riverbank. "Keep it down."
You sat a step above her on the brick stairs, feeling the rough, sun-warmed stone beneath your palms. Your lips trembled as you looked down at Mikasa's shiny black hair, your chest tightening with an emotion you couldn't quite name. Sometimes Eren's words hurt more than you let on, carving deep, invisible wounds.
Eren only shrugged, tossing another stone. "What do I care?" he muttered, almost to himself.
Suddenly, you stood, anger bubbling up. Without thinking, you punched Eren in the stomach. He barely flinched, only smearing dirt on his green shirt, but the shock of your action silenced everyone.
Then Eren began to laugh—a real, full-bodied laugh, tears streaming down his cheeks, his face flushed with something you hadn't seen in a long time. The sound was infectious, and soon all of you were laughing, the tension dissolving in the air.
"Y/N? What was that for?" Eren giggled, clutching his stomach. You rolled your eyes, grinning despite yourself, grateful for the moment of lightness.
"Just shut up already, Eren!" you said, your voice warm.
The wind picked up, carrying dry leaves and dust across the stones. You all quieted, settling into a comfortable, fragile peace for a few minutes.
Armin broke the silence, his voice trembling. "It's sad, isn't it? What most people here are willing to settle for in exchange for some fleeting sense of security." He hugged his knees tighter, eyes distant. "And make no mistake, it absolutely is fleeting."
"The walls can't hold forever," he whispered. The words sent a chill through you, as if the world itself recoiled.
You wondered, in that moment, what you would do if the walls ever fell. Would you run? Would you fight? Would you survive?
"It's only a matter of time," Armin said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Suddenly, everything stopped. There was a flash—a split second of blinding, unnatural light, like a lightning bolt splitting the sky. The very ground beneath you trembled, the stones rattling under your hands, as a distant, thunderous boom echoed across the district.
For a moment, you were weightless. The blast sent you tumbling down the steps, scraping your palms and knees. You landed hard, breath knocked from your lungs, your vision swimming with pain and confusion.
You pressed a hand to your forehead, blinking away tears. You sat on the ground for a few seconds, regaining your vision and your breath.
You pressed a hand to your forehead, blinking away tears. "You okay?" Eren's voice cut through the ringing in your ears, and he reached down, grasping your hand. You nodded, unable to speak for a moment, the world spinning around you.
He helped you to your feet, steadying you as the dust began to clear. Armin was already moving, his face pale, eyes wide with terror. Mikasa stood by your side, arms wrapped protectively around you both.
We chased after Armin. "Armin, what are you doing?" Eren asked, following behind him. "Talk to me! What's going on? Some kind of explosion or—?"
You all turned as one toward the wall. What you saw next took your breath away.
A cloud of steam billowed upward, almost like an explosion. There, straddling the very top of Wall Maria, was a Titan—no, not just any Titan, but a monster of impossible scale. Red muscle glistened in the sunlight, its flesh stripped away to expose bone and tendon, steam rising from every pore. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly intelligence as it stared down, impossibly tall, restricting the walls themselves.
It made the walls look like nothing.
You gasped, instinctively reaching out for Eren's hand. He grabbed you, his grip tight, knuckles white.
"No, no! That's impossible! That wall is fifty meters high!" you cried, your heart hammering against your ribs.
Eren's voice shook with terror. "It's a Titan... the biggest I've ever seen." He clung to you, and you could feel his whole body tremble.
The ground trembled violently as the Colossal Titan reared back, its massive foot hovering. For a heartbeat, time seemed to freeze—the sunlight flickered off the exposed muscles, steam swirling around its head. Then, the Titan slammed its foot into Wall Maria.
The wall exploded with a burst of stone and dust, a tidal wave of debris raining down on Shiganshina. Jagged chunks crashed through rooftops, crushing houses and people alike. The shockwave hit you a split second later.
You were lifted off your feet, the force so fierce it was like being caught in a tornado. Eren's hand snatched your wrist as you screamed, the world a blur of flying shingles, splintered wood, and shrieking people.
"Hold on!" Eren shouted, his other arm latching onto the nearby building. His knuckles whitened as he anchored you both, teeth gritted in effort. "Don't let go, Y/n!"
But Mikasa—Mikasa had been a step behind, scarf trailing, her eyes wide with shock. The wind caught her full-on, yanking her off the ground. She tumbled through the air like a ragdoll, arms flailing as she was hurled toward the churning cloud of debris.
"Mikasa!" you screamed, terror spiking through your veins. Without thinking, you reached out, fingers straining. Somehow, by sheer luck or desperate will, your hand closed around hers.
Her arm jerked painfully in your grip, her body swinging in the gust of wind. "I've got you!" you yelled, voice hoarse. You dug your heels against the ground, your body stretched to the limit as you fought to keep her from being swept away while keeping a hold of Eren's hand too.
You gritted your teeth, refusing to let go. "I told you, we stick together!" you shouted, as Eren tightened his grip on both of you. The strain was immense; your arms burned, your fingers numb from the force of the wind.
Armin, who'd been flung nearly into the street, managed to grab a shattered wagon axle. He scrambled up, his face dirty, eyes wild as he called out, "Are you two okay?! Mikasa?! Y/n?!"
"Yeah, we're here!" you called back, voice ragged, still holding tightly to Mikasa as the wind finally began to die down.
As the dust settled and the world stopped spinning, Mikasa clung to your arm, breathless and shaking. She looked at you with fierce, unwavering eyes. "I owe you my life, Y/n," she said quietly, voice trembling with emotion. "From now on, I'll protect you. I swear it."
You squeezed her hand, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude. Eren pulled you both closer, his chest heaving, still bracing himself against the wall. "We're not going anywhere," he murmured, his voice fierce with determination. "We'll keep each other safe."
Panic erupted all around you. People were running and shouting, mothers grabbing their children, soldiers fumbling for weapons that would be useless against something so monstrous. The air tasted of ash and fear.
You thought of your family—your mother, your father, your sister. Would they be all right? Were they already gone?
Eren's grip on your hand faltered as he looked toward his own house, eyes wild with desperation. You quirked an eyebrow at him. "Eren?" You questioned.
"Our house is in that direction! Mom's all by herself!" he shouted, already pulling away, his instincts battling with the impossible reality before him.
You reached for him, but hesitated. Could you leave your own family for his? Could you abandon him or your own blood? Guilt and fear warred inside you. The world seemed to slow, every sound muffled by your own frantic heartbeat.
Armin's voice snapped you back to the moment. "We have to go!" he cried, grabbing your arm, dragging you away from the wall as the first of the smaller Titans began to pour through the breach, their grotesque faces twisted with hunger.
You stumbled after Armin, your thoughts a dizzy whirl. The streets were chaos—people shoving past, horses rearing, soldiers shouting orders that were instantly drowned out by the Titans' roars.
Your feet pounded the ground, lungs burning. You reached a crossroads, hesitation freezing you for just a heartbeat. Eren was gone, racing toward his home. You turned, running in the opposite direction, desperate to reach your own house. Tears streamed down your face as you sprinted through the smoke and debris, the world collapsing around you.
When you finally reached your house, you collapsed against the door, breath heaving, tears streaking your dirty cheeks. The building was untouched—for now. Relief crashed over you, but it was short-lived. You pressed your forehead to the cool wood, sobbing quietly. The dream of peace, of freedom, had shattered in an instant.
The world was ending.
That's all you could think as you stumbled through the chaos, the air was thicker than before. Your mind was numb, your body moving on instinct alone.
"Y/N! Oh, thank goodness!" Your mother's voice pierced the din, raw and choked with relief. Before you could even react, she was crushing you to her chest, trembling. You blinked up at her, dazed, tasting ashes on your tongue. "I'm so glad you're alive! We have to go now, okay?" she gasped, voice breaking as she pulled away. You barely nodded before she grabbed your wrist and dragged you forward.
You caught sight of your little sister, Dahlia, cowering against a toppled cart. Her face was streaked with dirt and tears, her eyes wide and empty. Your mother scooped her up too, clinging to you both as if you were all she had left in the world.
You staggered through the ruined streets, the world a blur of burning houses and shattering glass. You could barely breathe, the stench of blood and smoke burning your lungs. Every few steps, you tripped over fallen beams, bodies, twisted wreckage. You wanted to scream, but your voice was lost—shredded by fear and grief.
"Where's Da–" you tried to ask, but the words caught in your throat. Your mother's face crumpled, her lips trembling, and Dahlia only stared down at the ground, her body shaking.
A distant, agonized shriek tore through the air. "Aria!" someone bellowed—your father's voice, unmistakable but warped by terror and pain. You whipped around, heart pounding, just in time to see a Titan clutching a human figure in its massive hand.
He was screaming, fighting, blood pouring from his side. "No!" your mother sobbed, collapsing to her knees, her arms thrown around you and Dahlia to shield you from the horror. "Don't look, children. Please, don't look..." But it was too late. You saw everything.
The Titan's jaws parted, strings of saliva glistening, and with a sickening crunch, your father was bitten in half. His scream became a gurgle, blood spraying across the stones and your face. His hand, reaching for you, disappeared into the mouth of the Titan. You fell backward, numb with shock, bile rising in your throat. Your mother sobbed brokenly, rocking you and Dahlia, who whimpered and buried her face in your chest.
Blood ran in rivers down the Titan's chin. The world shrank to the pounding of your own heart, the ringing in your ears, the taste of vomit and soot in your mouth.
"No, no, no, no..." your mother whispered, her voice strangled. She forced herself up, tears streaming down her cheeks, and pulled you both to your feet. "We have to go. We have to go now!" She didn't look back, dragging you and Dahlia through the maze of panicked bodies, every step a battle.
That awful smell of smoke, blood, and fear.
You ran. For minutes—or was it hours?—you sprinted through streets choked with debris, past burning homes and the bodies of neighbors you'd known all your life. The shrieks of the dying and the roars of Titans were everywhere. You clung to your mother's hand, Dahlia's fingers digging into your other arm as she stumbled beside you, sobbing.
The world was a nightmare. You remember only flashes: a Titan's foot crushing a horse, a man screaming for his child, the smell of burning flesh. Somewhere, a soldier was shouting orders, but the words made no sense.
At last, you reached the docks, the river churning with overloaded ferries. Soldiers pushed people aboard, shouting for order. Your mother cradled you and Dahlia, her hands shaking as she begged a soldier, "Please, please, my children—let us go, we have nowhere else—" He nodded, helping you onto the last crowded ferry.
You pressed against the rail, Dahlia clinging to you, your mother cradling both of you, her body wracked with silent sobs. The air was thick with despair. All around, people wailed for loved ones left behind, or stood in stunned silence, staring back at the burning ruins of Shiganshina.
You stared, hollow-eyed, as the Armored Titan crashed through the gate in the distance, its massive body tearing through stone and steel as if it were paper. The wall crumbled, the sound like the end of the world. For a moment, the Titan's gaze met yours—huge and cold. Then it turned and thundered away, leaving nothing but ruin in its wake.
You felt something break inside you. The future, your dreams, your home—gone in a single afternoon. Your mind flickered to Eren, Mikasa, and Armin. Were they alive? The thought was unbearable. You gripped the rail so tightly your knuckles bled, your only anchor in a world that had spun out of control.
The ferry rocked beneath you. Dahlia shivered, burying her face in your side. Your mother held you both, but her eyes were empty, her spirit crushed.
No one spoke. The river carried you away from everything you'd ever known, toward a future that felt impossible.
⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆
You hated living under someone else's roof. The house was cramped, strange, full of the scent of unfamiliar food and the whisper of voices behind closed doors. A distant friend—one of your mother's old contacts—had taken you in, giving you a small, cold room to share with Dahlia and your mother.
Nights were the worst. You lay awake, staring at the cracked ceiling, replaying every moment—the Titan's jaws closing on your father, the screams, the crush of bodies on the ferry, the hollow faces of the refugees. Dahlia sometimes whimpered in her sleep, and you'd stroke her hair, whispering promises you weren't sure you could keep.
One night, unable to bear it any longer, you sat up. Dahlia slept peacefully beside you, clutching a battered doll. Your mother sat in the corner, her eyes red, her hands trembling as she sewed a rip in Dahlia's dress. You managed a small smile, grateful for her presence, for this fragile family that remained.
But this was not your home. Every inch of you ached to go back, to fight, to reclaim what you'd lost. The pain of it gnawed at you, growing sharper each time you remembered the promises you'd made to yourself and to Eren.
You resolved, quietly, to enlist in the Survey Corps. You wouldn't tell your mother or Dahlia—they'd try to stop you. The thought of Mikasa and Armin surfaced, and a fresh wave of grief swept over you. Where were they? Had they survived?
You curled up, hugging your knees, memories flooding back. Eren's smile, Mikasa's quiet strength, Armin's gentle wisdom. The pain of their absence was almost physical.
Suddenly, the sheets rustled. Dahlia woke, blinking sleepily, her hair wild. "Y/N?" she whispered, her voice small in the darkness. "What's wrong?"
You tried to answer, but tears spilled down your cheeks. "I... I don't know, Dahlia. I just... I can't stop thinking about everything. About Eren, and Dad, and—" Your words dissolved into sobs.
Dahlia crawled over, wrapping her arms around you. "It'll be okay," she said softly, her hand warm on your wrist. "This is about him, isn't it?" she teased, a tiny smile breaking through.
Your cheeks burned, but you didn't pull away. "He was always there for me," you whispered. "He cared about me more than anyone else."
"You're brave," Dahlia said, her voice full of certainty. "I'm glad I have a sister like you." She pressed a small hair clip into your palm, the one she'd bought before the world changed.
You stared at it, the simple beauty of the flower making your throat ache. "For me?"
She nodded. "I thought it'd make you feel better. Since... you know."
The kindness overwhelmed you. You broke down, crying into your sister's shoulder. "Oh, Y/N, you're such a crybaby," Dahlia giggled, patting your back.
Overwhelmed, you burst into tears, crying into her shoulder. "Oh, Y/N, you're such a crybaby," Dahlia chuckled, patting your shoulder with loving care.
She wiped away your tears and tried to smile. "How about this: tomorrow, let's go into town and look for them. Mikasa, Armin—maybe even Eren. Maybe we just missed them when we arrived."
You sniffled, hope flickering in your chest. "Right. I... I jump to conclusions too easily."
You lay back down, Dahlia's arm draped over you. For a moment, the pain ebbed, and you let yourself believe that tomorrow you might find your friends. That maybe, just maybe, hope could survive, even in a world this cruel.
As sleep finally claimed you, you clung to your sister and that fragile, stubborn hope—knowing that, for now, it was all you had left.