AN: Hello! This is my first proper series I've published, so this is going to be a wild ride. I wrote this and a lot of other SNK x APH ficlets last year when I was deep within the Attack on Titan fandom. Since then, I've left it because I didn't really think the plot was progressing but I've always been fascinated with the universe itself. The plot had an interesting concept, and naturally I couldn't help imagining the APH crew in it.

The story is in America's point of view and I use human names throughout. If I use any fanon human names, I'll tell you who's who in an author's note, don't worry! There aren't any real pairings in it, as far as I remember, but if you squint you might be able to see subtle hints of slightly more than platonic feelings between characters.

All I have to ask is that you bare with me if there's not enough dialogue at the moment - I'm learning. I'll take any criticism because I want to improve as an author.

From the early moments in my childhood to this very day, I can safely say there has never been an end to my misfortune. Looking back to when I was growing up, my brother Matthew had always been there to back me up and to save my ass when I was really in trouble. But the day the wall came down was the end of him doing all the work for me; it was my turn to make a stand, my turn to make a difference and my turn to kill them all.

It was purely by luck that we even survived that terrible day, if it weren't for that boat we would surely be dead. We were pulled onto it along with the other soon-to-be refugees who would be sent straight to Wall Rose. I couldn't help but feel guilt for every single one of the people who had died when the Titans broke the wall. None of them deserved to die, and I intended to find whoever was responsible and make them pay for their crimes against humanity.

As soon as we arrived in Wall Rose, we both knew life wouldn't be easy. The people who already lived there didn't want us to be alive, since we would be using much of their food and water when we could have just as easily died back there when 'it' happened. We were not welcome at all. If we wanted to be respected (which I can assure you did not ever happen), we would have to work for it. So all refugees who could work did, and they worked for long hours in the fields. My brother and I were considered well enough to be sent out there, and so we did.

I couldn't help but feel lonely when I arrived at Wall Rose. No one knew me. No one wanted to know me. I only had Mattie to keep me sane. No mom. No dad. No home.

I didn't belong anywhere. The place where I was living was foreign to me, and I didn't want to stay there when I was greeted by the glares of the locals who had no intention on paying more taxes so I could live. I couldn't tell what Mattie was feeling most of the time. He just worked quietly beside me, not drawing any attention to himself; he only carried a mournful look on his face whenever I cast my gaze towards him.

He must have been getting over the disaster by himself, and I couldn't have helped him. It was his choice how he coped, not mine. It hurt to see him hiding his pain from me; it was mainly knowing that he was hiding something from me that hurt, but also that he preferred to cope alone instead of me supporting him.

I kept my own secret from him. When I got chance, I had all intentions on training to be in the army. Of course, Mattie knew my crazy dreams from the times I spent wittering on about them when I was little. But now I had seen wrong. I had seen exactly what I wanted to change. If anything, the Titan attack only strengthened my desire to join the army. And once I had trained to be a soldier, I intended to join the Scouting Legion. Mattie had previously said he would support me, but I didn't bring it up in any conversations with him for at least a year. He was unsurprisingly shocked that I was still as determined as I was when I was little.

However, he said he would remain by my side because he too wished to make a difference on humanity. That statement of his warmed up my cold heart. And so, we left our refugee lives of labouring all day to become soldiers and inspire the youth.