THE AGREEMENT
CHAPTER ONE
After seeing Keith Shadish's ugly face for the first time, she decided that titans couldn't look so much worse.
His demeanour was strict and frightening, the circles around his eyes dark and deep, worn out from staring too long into rookies' souls. But the biggest problem was that he hated her.
He thought that she was weak. She saw it in his eyes, every time he glanced at her. He didn't even bother to look at her fully. She wondered if he even knew her name.
"Faster!" he shouted somewhere far ahead. "The ones who can't keep up are the easiest preys!"
The 104th Trainees Squad ran even faster than before in the rain. Footsteps squelched around her on the dead fallen leaves.
Keep going, she thought breathing harshly as cloaked figures passed her. She was soaking wet with mixture of sweat and rain, feeling muscles she didn't know she possessed.
One of the figures crashed into her, making her slip immediately. She tried to stop the fall with her hands, but the pang of pain in her wrists made her lose her hold and she crashed into the wet ground.
The guy didn't help her up. He didn't even look back.
More people passed, most of them looking straight ahead, pretending to not notice her. Others gave her a look of pity, but no one bothered to help her up.
She tried to get up on her own, but the pain in her wrist made it impossible to push herself up with the weight of her back. She fell back again, now her whole body covered in mud and leaves.
She's never going to pass. Shadish is right. She is weak. An easy prey…
In that second someone grabbed into her bag and pulled her up with it. Recovering from her surprise she heard his low voice muttering in exhaustion.
"Come on, Kalmbach. Keep running. And don't slip again."
"Reiner…" she said, but he already ran ahead. She stared after him, the words dying on her lips.
"Run, Amy" whispered Armin out of breath as he passed her.
And she kept running.
The dinner has already started, but they were still sitting outside on the stairs. Armin looked deep in thought, hugging his legs close to himself, resting his head on the top of his knees. They've been sitting in silence for a while now, but it was a comfortable one. Long minutes passed before Armin decided to break it.
"I don't believe that he hates you."
"Hmm?" she asked, escaping her train of thoughts, looking up to meet his blue eyes. It was so blue.
It was a saddening thought, that his eyes were prettier, than her pale grey ones.
"Shadish" he explained. "He might just see you as a bigger challenge."
"Somehow I doubt that" Amy muttered. "I'm more of a lost cause than a challenge."
Armin scowled at her. "Don't belittle yourself. You are not a lost cause."
She chuckled bitterly. "Yeah, right. Have you happened to see what I've managed to accomplish in the past few days? If Reiner didn't pick me up that one night, I would have been put on a cart long ago."
"I would've helped you up too, Amy."
"That's not the point! I shouldn't depend on anyone. And it's only a training now, how many people do you think will help me up, when there are titans nearby?"
Armin opened his mouth to say something, but closed it just as quickly. It was enough answer for her.
She's dead meat.
"Listen" he tried again. "Maybe endurance is not you strength, but you must be great at something. You just have to figure out what it is."
"Well… I'm pretty handy with the blades I guess" she muttered. "But so is everyone else. I'm nowhere near the top ten."
Armin looked thoughtful before answering her.
"You not a lesser person, just because there are people who are better at something. If it makes you feel better, I probably won't be in the top ten either."
Amy felt confused. "How can you be so casual about it? If we are not the best, the military police is out of question. I barely manage to overrun someone my age, what chances do I have against a Titan? I might as well just quit then. At least I'm not putting myself intentionally in danger.
"Then why did you join?"
"Well, it's not like I care about other people's opinion on me, but my caretaker didn't want to hear about me, being labelled as a coward" she said and snorted. "At least that's what she said. I'm sure under the facade she couldn't wait to get rid of me."
"I'm sorry."
"Meh" Amy shrugged. "It doesn't matter now. And what about you? Any evil person forcing you to fight glorious battles?"
"Not really… We always wanted this, the three of us. Eren, Mikasa and I. I don't know what I would do without them… they are my family you see."
Armin had a faraway look in his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips, thinking of his friends. Amy couldn't help the light pang of jealousy in her heart. She had no one.
"We will be joining the Scouting Legion" finished Armin.
There was a long silence before Amy found her voice.
"Are you actually serious…? I mean I understand Mikasa and even Eren, but…"
The words left her mouth as soon as she thought them. When she realized what she was saying she flushed in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry... it sounded better in my head. But aren't you way too clever for that death wish?"
He smiled at the compliment and shrugged. "It's more complicated than that. And I couldn't live with myself knowing that I could have done something to prevent bad happenings to my friends."
She nodded. "I understand." They sat in silence for a while. "Are titans really that horrible?"
"You have never seen one before, have you?" he smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
She shook her head. "No. But I heard Eren speaking about them last night. He was really… passionate about the subject."
"He is haunted by memories that are better to remain forgotten. Please understand that it's a hard topic for all of us, but especially for him."
"I won't bring it up."
"Thank you" Armin said and stood up to brush off the dirt from his trousers. "Listen, why don't we go inside? Dinner is almost over. You could sit with us if you would like."
Amy stood up too and smiled down at him. Why was she so tall? "I would like that."
Armin satisfied with the answer changed to a lighter tone.
"Let's hope Sasha didn't devour everything.
The dinner was dry bread with water that tasted like iron. It wasn't much, but she didn't have appetite for weeks. She slowly bit into the small piece of bread, crumbs silently hitting the table. It actually crackled between her teeth.
"How are we supposed to stay strong eating this food?" she asked from no one in particular.
Mikasa either ignored her, or was just so deep in thoughts that her word didn't reach her ear. Eren was the same. He just stared ahead, not touching his food. Sasha thought it was free game, but when she went to take his bread Mikasa gave her a glare, which made her turn right back. It was the most expression she ever saw on the girl's face.
Amy wondered sometimes if she had a soul.
Armin gulped down his drink before answering her. "We have to stay strong, but we cannot depend on the food. On bigger expeditions these things turn sour quickly. I read once, that on some occasion starvation took more people than the fighting itself."
The bread suddenly tasted better in her mouth.
"But that doesn't mean, you don't have to eat, Eren" said Mikasa with a hint of worry in her voice. "Just a few bites."
"Does it matter?" he all but whispered. "It won't change the fact that I'm the only one who can't use the freaking 3DGM! I only have one more day… I'm going to get kicked out…"
"Not eating won't help you either. Please, Eren, just-"
Eren snapped and slammed the bread down the table. "Stop nagging me, Mikasa! Don't you get it? I can't do it! It was all for nothing… how am I going to kill titans, without becoming a soldier? Am I going to hoe them to death?"
"I know how you are feeling" Amy muttered. Eren seemed to have noticed her for the first time sitting there.
"Amy Kalm…" he trailed of.
"Kalmbach" she helped him.
"Yeah, Kalmbach. Do you have any problems with it?"
Amy made an apologizing face. "Sorry to disappoint you."
Eren sighed in defeat and started to eat his bread.
She turned to see one of the trainees watching her. Jean, she recalled. She frowned as she ran a hand over the back of her neck. He whispered something to the freckled boy sitting next to him, who whispered back, looking at her now and then, during their conversation.
Great.
Apparently Jean Kirschtein had been the kind one to push her during their running session in the rain, if Armin's observation was right. Of course he didn't even know he shoved her to the ground. Or maybe he did. Fucking Kirschtein with his fucking hair.
Shooting one last hate filled glance at the brown haired boy, she turned back to her bread – or what was left of it – and imagined it was one of the delicious baked loafs that her caretaker loved to make.
"It's a perfect plan, I tell you, Marco" Jean whispered, not even trying to hide his excitement. "Everything is given! She's her friend –"
"I don't think that sitting next to her means, that Mikasa is her friend" Marco interrupted, scratching his nose. "Besides I didn't even see them talk. She is Armin's friend the most, I think."
Jean waved his reasoning off. "She is her friend. Or at least she knows her."
"I still don't see how Amy's involvement is going to improve your chances with Mikasa."
Jean picked his bread and tore a small piece down, so he had enough crumbs to work with He placed four pieces to one side, and held one between his fingers. "This is me" he explained, pointing at the lonely crumb in his hand. "And these" he looked at the separated ones "are them."
"Great strategic skills."
"Funny. Now, before this lucky constellation, there was no way I could have just walked up to them, since Eren hates my guts and Armin is not a strong enough reason."
"Why don't you just walk up and talk with Mikasa, herself?"
"It's not how it works" Jean countered quickly, before continuing. "So. What do I get if I befriend the Kalmbach girl?"
"A friend?" Marco guessed.
"No! A reason. Don't you see? If we get on like a house on fire, I will be spending my time with Mikasa very soon."
Marco found himself circling one hand as he tried to find the right words. "Isn't that a bit unfair with Amy?"
Jean shrugged. "Oh, come on, who cares. It's not like she will be in physical pain, just by having a small chat with me, now and then. And after graduation we will go on our separate ways. There is no way she will be in top ten and get into the Military Police. She doesn't exceed in anything from what I've seen. Not like Mikasa…"
"I still don't like it" Marco said a bit louder than usual, trying to get Jean's attention, who was too busy ogling the black haired girl.
"It will work" he said, sure of himself. "As I told you, this plan is perfect. We just have to wait, until she or the others leave, to get her alone. She won't be able to resist my charm, you will see."
It still isn't right, thought Marco, but kept his opinion to himself.
Jean was full and as he sat there, the excitement slowly fading, exhaustion began to creep over him He kept his eyes on Amy this time, following her hands as she waved them around, talking about something with Armin, he didn't hear. It was rather hypnotizing, watching her hands, move in the air with graceful movements. His elbows rested on the table, holding his chin in his hand as he promptly fell asleep.
"Oi, Jean" said Marco and he came awake with a start. He was a bit confused at first, taking in the environment: wooden tables, finished plates, people leaving… People leaving!
"I'm awake" he said reassuring rather himself and abruptly stood up, kicking his chair back in the haste movement.
Luckily Amy was still sitting in her place, being nagged by Sasha for her last piece.
He grinned and picked up his own leftovers. Perfect. He patted Marco on the shoulders and with secure steps he walked up to the two girls, wearing his most charming smile.
"Hey, Sasha!" he said waving the peace of food in front of her. "Fetch!"
He threw the bread up in the air and the girl caught it in no time like a true predator. Now that she was out of the picture, he sat down in front of Amy and flashed her a winning smile.
He tilted his head one side and regarded her closely, his thoughts wandering away. She wasn't that bad actually, her dirty blonde hair coming loose from her ponytail she usually wore. She was quite tall, maybe the same height as him, which sadly took away the opportunity to look down on her if occasion arises. With a simple blink he brought his mind back to the present.
She just looked at him in silence, waiting for him to talk. His face started to hurt a bit, from his ear to ear grin, but she didn't even smile back, just narrowed her eyes slightly.
Not a good start.
"Sooo..." he trailed off. "Amy, right?"
"Right."
Silence.
"Sooo…" he tried again, the perfect plan in his mind slowly collapsing. Think, think, think! "I'm Jean."
"I know."
Silence.
"Great."
This shouldn't be happening!
"Anything else…?" she drawled, raising a single eyebrow, slightly, but enough to mock him.
Alright Jean, get it together.
"How is your… - think of something! – …training going?
Amy eyes flashed dangerously and the most ironic smile she could manage crawled up on her face. "Ah, it's going so well, thanks for asking." She suddenly stood up, frightening him, as she leaned closer to his face. "Running is my favourite. My skin is soft and flawless thanks for all that mud, you asshole."
With that she took the remaining piece of her bread and started to leave. He reacted quickly, not really knowing what's going on, but stood up and ran after her.
"Wait!"
The girl stopped and turned back to him, giving him a last chance to explain what he wanted. He knew there was no place for bluff anymore.
"Thanks" he muttered as he caught up with her. "Although I have no freaking idea what you are talking about, I'm begging for your forgiveness, okay? I need your help."
She looked at him sceptically. "And why should I help you?"
Jean tried smiling charmingly again. "Because you are so nice…?"
Amy shook her head unaffected. "Nah. Nice try though. What's in it for me?"
"How about a favourable agreement on both sides? You help me, I help you and in end everyone's happy."
She regarded him suspiciously, probably wondering if there was a catch. "All right. Let's assume that I agree to help you. What do you want?"
He explained his plan to her, without crumbs this time. She listened to him silently, not interrupting him even once. He wasn't sure if her silence meant good or bad, but the fact that she didn't start protesting in the beginning was a good sign. After he finished talking he looked at her expectedly, waiting for an answer. She looked thoughtful, wrinkling the skin between her eyebrows from time to time.
After what seemed like an eternity she gave him a scornful look.
"You are a sadly pathetic guy, you know that right?"
"That I am."
"Okay, I will help you conquer Mikasa's heart. But let's just clear some things first. One, if for some unbelievable reason she rejects you it's not my fault. I'm only the gate between you two. Second, don't think that this enjoys priority. I won't throw away everything that I'm doing, just to organize you some little dates. But" she said quickly, when he tried to interrupt "I will do my best in any other time."
Jean nodded. "Sounds fair to me."
"If I get my part of the deal."
It's going to be bad, isn't it.
"And what that might be?" he enquired.
"You have to help me in my training."
Jean thought about it for a few second and nodded again. He could manage that. "Which part?"
Amy seemed to wear a small, but real smile for the first time. "Well, lucky for you, I suck at everything."
"And what exactly should I do? Give you tips? Because I'm not that great at explaining things… just pay attention to Shadish I guess."
"Oh, you didn't really think that I would help you for a few tips, did you? I need someone to train with. Think of it as our bonding time!" she said feigning excitement. "I'm sure Mikasa will be jealous of our friendship."
Jean thought through everything again in his head. Was it really worth it?
After a few seconds he flashed her a matching fake smile and reached towards her hand.
"Deal?" he asked.
"Deal" she answered and they shook hands.
A/N: Hey guys! I hope you liked this chapter. Criticism is always welcomed. English is not my native language, so please feel free to correct my grammar!
One of my favourite characters is Jean and I think he doesn't get enough love. I hope no one is too OOC and my OC isn't leaning towards a Mary Sue. Please review and share your opinion with me. :) It would really mean a lot.