Hey there reader, thanks for looking into this piece. Please leave a review, i love to hear people's thoughts and even though this work has long since been completed, I still get the emails.

Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan, and am simply having fun with creativity with the characters and such. Therefore this will not follow any other storyline other than my own - other than some very very late on content that comes back round to content from the second/third season. However I hope the characters are consistent with their portrayal in the show.

The Fic is set after the first season. So the Annie stuff has all happened, and they're a few months or so later on. But as I said, don't assume this follows into the second season for a looong while. Might as well have some fun, eh?

"Damn it."

I land on the nearest branch, ankle unhappy with the rushed landing. For the third time in two days my damn gear had jammed. The blades rattle as I pound the casing, trying to wake it up like before. But it's no use, damn thing is finally dead. Thankfully it's only training-so there's no threat of imminent death, only the threat of Captain Levi. What will it be this time? A rant? Jogging till sunset? Or simply flinging me from the tree? I hang my head back. I'd rather face a Titan, especially in this heat. At least the big brute would be easier to kill. I wind up the wire that failed to recoil, the metal is hot but it needs to be out of the way once my fellow rookies finally catch up. Stupid gear-I might've made a new record today without its timely intervention.

The sun glares. I squirm against the damn straps that were clearly not designed with my body-shape in mind. I shift the leather to allow breathing room, but alas my damn tits remain in the way. God damn, what I wouldn't give for a big pair of scissors. Snip, snip and freedom! Ugh… Stupid gear, you're keeping me from a cold shower. As I hit it again, a blade shifts out and catches my hand. Well great. Thankfully it only gives me a small gash instead of removing my thumb but its hardly helping my mood. Six months and I still feel like a rookie. What a damned joke.

"Son-of-a-bitch gear."

"Mind your mouth, Cadet." And there he is, monotone voice rumbling up behind me. I didn't even hear the man land. Of course I didn't, I'm but a mere mortal to the little god. I say 'little' but as I turn, I'm reminded he's still an inch taller than my midget self. "Gear jammed?"

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir." I salute.

He nods. "Just get the damn gear fixed next time instead of beating it up." His grey eyes flash to my hand. "What happened? Bad landing? Not your usual style."

"No, sir. Cut it on a loose blade while trying to um… Well while trying to beat the sense back into my gear."

"Leave the brutality for the titans, Cadet." He rolls his eyes and shakes his head, the rest of the team passes by, whooshing and zipping as they laugh and chatter. Slow pokes. The Captain clears his throat. "You've only succeeded doing yourself unnecessary damage, idiot. The rest of the brats have finally caught up."

"Yes, sir."

"How're your tanks?"

"Almost full, sir." I give them a proud pat.

His eyes narrow and he walks over to check. He shakes the tank. "Tch. Thought you'd be running on fumes by now. Good work." I chance a smile. "Lose the grin, you still managed to jam the gear. I'll signal for a new set. Wait here for assistance."

"Yes, sir."

He zips away. The weight lifts and I slump against the tree-trunk. Talking to that man is terrifying. Walking on eggshells does not cover it, it was more like walking on Titan bones in sold rock shoes. A few minutes later Armin lands on the branch, a new set of gear in hand. He helps me swap, his eyes occasionally flicking back to my injured hand.

I nudge him. "Armin? I mean… Sergeant—"

"It's always Armin to you, y'know that."

"Sorry." I wipe sweat form my brow, the sun continuing to be relentless. "The ceremony was so official, thought you might change your mind."

"Nah. Plus no one else says it without smirking."

"Prats…" I share a smile with him. "How's Eren?"

"What d'you mean?"

"Well he looked pretty upset, them not promoting him and all, just because of his ability. Stupid bureaucrats."

"And that's why it's always Armin." He grins. "He's fine, he knows it's only because they're afraid of him. But he knows most of the cadets aren't so that counts for a lot. He's just happy getting to be out there helping, he's not bothered about rank really."

"Glad to hear it. Thanks for the gear Armin. I better get to the end of the track before Captain Levi sounds the finish bell."

Armin nods and heads off. I turn to check if anyone is still passing before launching, I don't want to set off them immediately collide with some idiot. I see a glint of silver between the trees as my foot leaves the branch. It's far off, but in the direction everyone was heading. Maybe someone else had a loose blade. I zip over, the glint becomes clearer. I wish I hadn't bothered. A fellow rookie hangs there, out-cold on one wire. She's lucky the other wire hasn't broken free. She must've hit a branch. I scoop her up and set her on a branch, fanning her face. Concussion mixed with heat stroke is not ideal, along with hanging upside down for however long. The pink effect pales in her face, and slowly she begins to come round. She starts to mumble.

The finishing bell sounds, echoing off the trees and making birds take flight. I ignore it. I have a patient to deal with. Her name isn't occurring to me, I know the round face and mouse-brown hair, but the name remains elusive as I fan her face and check her gear is ok. I probably should make more of an effort to know my fellow cadets, but in the long run it seems pointless. All it would mean I could make a list as they get chomped, stomped or sliced. I bite down on my tongue, cheer up you fuckwit.

Her eyelashes flutter. "W-What happened?"

"I dunno do I? I found you dangling over there."

"Mm?"

"How's your head? I'm not sure how long you were hanging upside down. No, no stay still. Pretty sure ninety-percent of your blood rushed to your head."

"But… the finishing bell."

"Already rung."

"B-b—"

"I can't carry you all the way back, I don't have enough straps to fix you to me." I'm glad to see she decides to shut up. No point in mumbling about protocol when half zonked. "Let me signal and—"

"Slow doesn't cover this, shit display." I roll my eyes and feel the weight return. Captain Levi. God dammit, surely the man can see the girl lying there half dead? Then again he is quite short. "The hell's going on? Didn't you hear the bell, Brat?"

I gesture at the drooling mumbler. His eyes take her in but return to me quickly, expression unchanged except for a slight raise of a brow.

I give a quick salute. "Found her hanging upside down, sir. I dunno how long she was out, or what happened but I can't carry her alone. I was about to signal, sir, but—"

"Do you have any water left? This idiot needs to be at least conscious, or she'll flop around uselessly." I hand it over and he helps the girl sip it down. My throat pinches but know the girl needs it more. "Send up a green flare."

I do so. Green rises into the blue dome above us. What I wouldn't give for a cloud. The minutes slog by and I try to fan myself and them with my coat. Captain Levi seems glad of it as he rubs the back of his neck, slick with sweat as he tries to shield the girl from the sun.

"This brat seriously needs to wake up. Carrying will be a problem otherwise."

"I could tie her to me, you have a couple extra straps right? Combine them with mine and I can carry her like that."

"Don't be an idiot. There's no way you'll manage that in this heat."

"With all due respect, if we don't move soon we'll all be too spent, then everyone else will have to come help us. We might as well try it."

"Strap her to me instead, makes no sense too-"

"Sir." I purse my lips and wince at the glare. "You're still recovering from the mission last week. Please allow me to take the load."

"My well-being is my own concern, Cadet." His lip curled slightly, but I didn't have time for an ego issue.

"Hanji will kick my ass if I allow you to over-exert yourself, sir. You're nearly healed, this could set you back. Please. You'd be doing me a favour."

"Damn Glasses shouldn't be discussing my well-being with-"

"She slipped up. I swear that was the extent of it. Just concern for a comrade. Please sir, I just wanna help." I hold up my hands and shake my head. "If I can't make it, I'll stop."

"Fine. See that you do." He straightens up and starts handing over his straps. "I don't want two useless brats taking up my afternoon."

"No, sir." I wait for him to hold her up so I can loop the straps into place, he then attaches her to my back and I cringe at the weight and heat of the girl's limp body. She's tiny, but on a day like this she might as well have been a ten metre Titan.

I don't wait for him to take the lead, I know where I'm going. My legs shudder as I make the first leap. My throat burns as the sun beats me, but the wind from flying helps, I feel it move under my red hair and smile as a bird tries to keep pace. Suddenly Captain Levi takes over, looking my way. I focus on the task ahead, the lack of distraction only making the girls weight seem to increase. I grunt but I know we're nearly there. I just need to get this girl to the infirmary and then I can have a long drink, take an ice cold shower and crash out on my bed. That's all I have to do. That's all I have to do.

"Gah." The girl slumps backwards and sends my balance with her. I manage to right us but not without my neck getting a good dose of whiplash. I clench my jaw to avoid yelping. I'm not about to give the Captain the satisfaction. He zips a little closer, looking ahead all the while. As if that man could catch both me and mousey here.

"Sanshi, stop."

"It's fine, sir. We're almost there." I say it through gritted teeth and he rolls his eyes. There was no other option right now. Sure he had healed well after getting bruised on the last mission, but there was no telling if he might stress it into actual fractures. Hanji asked me to look out for the stubborn git. He didn't need to know that, but I wasn't about the let her down.

Finally we arrive at the compound. I land heavily. Medics unstrap the girl and take her away, giving me one less job to do. Good thing too, my knees feel like they're made of water. I lean on them anyway, trying to catch my breath. The pressure suddenly relieved from my back and ribs, I'm a bit dizzy. I then get up and make my way towards the main building.

"Got somewhere to be Sanshi?" The Captain challenges as he takes off his gear. My skin drips with sweat as my head swims a little, but my pride bolsters.

I stand up straight and salute. "No, sir."

Of course he takes him time, meandering over. I swear there's three of him wobbling in my vision.

He clicks his tongue. "Tomorrow morning you'll meet me here, to teach your fellow brats how to use their gear." I nod. "If even half of them can be as efficient with their gas, supply won't be as much of an issue whilst out on patrol. That's all cadet, now go shower, you look disgusting."

"Yes, sir." And I walk off, giving a small stumble despite my efforts. There's a snort behind me but I decide that it must've been a bird. I don't have the energy to slap that man. Then again it probably hadn't been him, there were several other recruits hanging around after all. A snort was far too human for the likes of him anyway.

Armin sees me trudge past, I see his little head spin round and then footsteps follow me up the stairs.

"Finally Robyn, I was worried your gear had given out again."

"No, just helping out… ugh… the little… brown haired girl." I hold the wall as the world surges in the heat, and Armin's hand lands on my shoulder. "Sorry Armin, I just need a drink and a shower."

"Well I can help you up the stairs at least, c'mon, I heard you'd helped Sandra."

"Yeah… Poor girl must've smashed into a branch."

"She's lucky you spotted her. Well done on carrying her though, you call her little but you're shorter than her I think." He laughs, and I can't help but join in. "Well you're not too tired to smile, that's something. Here we are. Just relax okay? It's off-time for your division this afternoon anyway."

I pat his shoulder and nod, unable to make my thick tongue move before going to my room. I put my water pitcher to my lips and gulp greedily, letting the liquid spill over the sides and down my front. The cold spreads out from my throat and I shudder, letting the pitcher fall to the floor. I take off my braces and remaining gear, till only my drenched trousers and shirt remain. I feel like a sausage, shoved into a synthetic casing. Ew. I look down at my sopping clothing and realise that Captain Levi was completely correct; I look disgusting. Then again training wasn't a beauty contest.

I head for the showers and get the water going, steam starts to fill the room and I climb in, drawing the curtain across and sighing as the warm water hits me. Just off cold. I gradually turn the water to ice and sink to the floor. There's soap down here and I lazily wash my sticky skin and hair till it squeaks with cleanliness. I feel exhaustion tug at my mind as I recall the training. What if I had faltered? I imagine the Captain trying to hold both me and mousey and zip along. I throw back my head and laugh, the image only made funnier as exhaustion pulling on my nerves. This had been a long day.

"Cut out that damn noise, brat."

I put my head against the wall, eyes rolling. It was a communal shower room, there was no reason for him not to be there, and yet I really wished he'd bugger off and leave me alone.

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."

The curtain in the next cubicle over is drawn and closed again and I allow the temperature of my shower to rise a little, no need to give myself pneumonia. Only the hissing water can be heard and I let myself curl up into a ball beneath the waterfall, sleep threatens but I just focus on the massaging droplets.

"I saw Artlet help you up the stairs. Did I ask too much of you?" The smirk oozed through his voice. I dig my nails into the bar of soap and imagine it's his skull. "Cadet? Answer me."

"No, sir, I'm good. Thank you for the concern—"

"You assume a lot."

"I just had cramp in my leg, sir. This morning was nothing I couldn't handle. Was my performance lacking, sir?"

"Tch, why is it you always assume criticism?"

"I assume everyone has criticism, sir. Easiest assumption to make."

"Decent outlook." I wait, sensing there's more coming after the compliment. "Although you were an inexcusable idiot."

Ding, ding, ding.

"Of course sir," I sit up, smoothing down the dents in the soap. "What particular instance of stupidity are you referring to?"

"Don't be a smart-ass." I stay quiet, biting back my retort. He continues. "It was clear in the compound that you were dehydrated, to the point of delirium. You could barely walk straight."

"Yes, sir."

"Had we been out in the field that could have been fatal. Both to you and your team."

"Sir, Sandra needed the water more than—"

"Heroism isn't required of you brat, killing titans and surviving is."

"Permission to speak freely sir?" I can't help but talk through clenched teeth.

"Keep the swearing to a minimum. Permission granted."

"This is all contextual. Sandra wouldn't have only had me or you to help her in the field, and had she been swinging on her own like that as long as she was, she'd be dead, and therefore not an issue. Ergo, my 'heroism' wouldn't apply in the field. However knowing how far it was to the compound, and knowing I could make it, made the choice simple, and not endangering." I spout all this whilst hitting my head off the tiles, turning the water back to ice as my temper flares. I helped a fellow officer, and I even technically helped this prick, and yet he was giving me shit for it. I focused on the cold of the water. I had to keep a lid on my temper. A prat though he was, he still out-ranked me and would easily beat the living shit out of me. I could take a beating, but it had been a long time since I let someone do it without reason. If I fucked up, fine. But I hadn't. So I'd be damned if I was gonna be pushed under his shoe. Although, I'll admit I look to the shower head above me, wondering if it'd fit down his throat.

"You still put yourself at risk without reason. Next time inform me of your issue. It'll just be me that gets shit from the Commander."

"So I can be another useless rookie?" I get up, wrap my towel into place and pull back my curtain. I'd intended to sit there and let the water drown out my exhaustion, but the weight of having to manoeuvre round the Captain's words was just too tiring. Although it then occurs to me that my tone was rather lacking. I cringe and try to sneak out before he gets out his shower. Please let me escape, please?

"Cadet."

Fuckery.

I stop and turn, internally wincing at the slap that is presumably about to send me into the next week. Considering my tone, I could accept that much. He tucks his towel into place and walks towards me. I can't deny he's more muscular than I thought, that uniform doesn't do him any favours.

"It's my duty to ensure your safety, don't make my job any harder than it needs to be."

I give the slightest of nods and leave, hoping I'd managed to keep most of the contempt from my face. So now I was just giving him more of a workload? My training was clearly going swimmingly. I lock my bedroom door and sit down at my desk, my mirror is smudged as I look at the bags under my eyes. Maybe Keza had been right? I touch the red ribbon that drapes over the mirror and give a weak smile. Nah, she was a daft bitch. I could do this. I would do this.