A/N: In this Hanji is agender, so I'm using they/them pronouns, also Im referring to them as Squad Leader (there had been some stuff in the manga and they were sort of commander but then they weren't? idk)

WARNING: manga spoilers and a bit of (fairly explicit, I think) gorey stuff in the middle

Disclaimer, I don't own Attack on Titan or its characters

The mission was set, the plan was decided on, and everyone was ready. The group moved silently with only the rustling of leaves and the thumping of the horses' hooves to break the silence that hung around them, heavy with foreboding and the promise of a long and hard day. Soon enough, they were at the entrance of the underground chamber beneath the church. The operation was now well underway. All thoughts of fear and apprehension were overshadowed by an adrenaline rush that brightened the dim light of the chamber, amplified shouts and cries, and brought out every minuscule detail into painful sharpness. Everyone played their part to the letter, and a wave of hope washed over Armin momentarily. He watched from behind Sasha as his friends took to the air on their 3D manoeuver gear. He was sure that Hanji flashed him a grin, ear to ear and brimming with anticipation, but he blinked and they were gone. There was no time to dwell on a grin that may or may not have happened, so he took up his place just beyond the door, behind cover.

Time ceased to make sense from then on. He did not know if five minutes or five hours passed in which he watched his friends battle with the Central Police. He focused on his task as much as possible, shooting smoke flares to keep his comrades covered. Beside him, Sasha fired away with her bow. Levi and Mikasa ploughed through person after person with inhuman speed and precision. He watched as Jean did the same, his prior hesitation at taking human lives all but gone.

Despite the chaos around him, he couldn't help but fall into memory lane. He ran through the conversations he'd had with his team the night before. How he'd come up with the strategy. But then, he was brought back to the present. A gunshot. Much like the countless others that rang in the chamber. Lance Corporal Levi's face of shock. A curt order from him and Armin was running, flying, down the stairs and rushing to fallen Squad Leader Hanji's side. As the rest of the group chased after their retreating enemies, Armin kneeled beside Hanji.

For a few agonising moments, they were completely still and silent. Armin felt his chest compress and his hands start shaking violently, hovering just above the Squad Leader's back. Soon enough, a ragged breath and low fragmented moan assured Armin that his superior was alive. With a shaky breath, he placed a hand on their side. His mind was blank. What was he going to do now?

"S-squad leader?" His voice was shaky and hoarse, his throat tight. He cleared it a couple of times to no avail. Never mind, Hanji is not in a condition to be talking right now.

He surveyed the Squad Leader's limp body with a sense of helplessness. They were lying face down on the cold floor, right arm raised beyond their head still holding the blade, left arm down by their side and blood flowing from a wound on the shoulder. Armin set to work trying to remove Hanji's gear without moving the rest of their body. It proved to be more difficult than he anticipated, and he ended up having to cut most of the straps. As he removed the last straps, he had to shift their body slightly, eliciting a low half-hearted whimper.

Next, Armin set about stopping the bleeding as much as possible. He knew that the bullet was probably still in the wound, and he debated over whether he should take it out himself. Hanji was fully unconscious now, so causing them extra pain would not be a major problem.

What the hell, Armin, what are you thinking?

With a deep breath, Armin pulled the Squad Leader so that they were on their side, the wounded shoulder by his lap, warm blood still oozing almost lazily from the opening. Heaving deep breaths and steeling his nerves, Armin tentatively touched the wound. A spasm of nausea shook his whole body as soon as he felt the sticky, warm texture of exposed skin and meat, and he had to turn his face to the side and retch. His head spun and tears stung in his eyes. His arms felt like jelly and his fingers curled up involuntarily. With a strangled whimper, he probed deeper, choking back the sobs and the vomit rising in his throad, until the warm flesh gave way to smooth metal.

Armin extracted the bullet form the wound and threw it away. After retching some more, he set about placing a pad of cloth over the wound and pressing down. He was openly crying now. He could feel the blood on his hands. His mouth was completely dry. Hanji's life was literally in his hands, coating them. He used the straps from Hanji's gear to tie the cloth pad down and set the Squad Leader back onto their stomach. He leaned back on his heels, shaking and panting. He threw up for real now, probably more than once.

What happened afterward was vague and uncertain, but soon enough Armin was being helped to his feet. Somehow, someone helped him carry Hanji outside and place them on a wooden carriage. He felt a hand on his shoulder. He shuddered, unable to look up.

"Armin!" A firm but kind voice. Moblit? It didn't matter, he was back to reality. Partially, at least. He felt cold water wash over his hands. He threw some over his face and felt his mind snap back into place. He thanked Moblit with a shaky voice. The older man nodded at him grimly.

Looking around him, Armin noticed they were at the church's entrance. It was completely silent, but he knew that below him there was probably chaos and death. Sparing a thought for his teammates and for Eren, still captive, he started to walk.

Armin made his way back to Hanji's side. Their wound had a new dressing and they were still unconscious. He sat by their side, listening to their ragged breaths. In the spur of the moment, Armin placed a hand on the Squad Leader's unwounded arm and heard a deep sigh. For the longest time, he could not decide if it had been from him or from Hanji.

Hope you enjoyed, fave and review if you did :)

P.S. I personally see Hanji as a woman, but this is for a friend who sees her as agender, hence the they/them pronouns