Hi everybody. I am a Beruani fan and I decided to write this fanfiction because there aren't much of these out there.I have to say that English is my second language so I apologize for the mistakes. I am writing this story in Spanish but I decided to translate it.
This story is set in the titan shifter's hometown assuming they won and they went back. I had to create OCs but I decided to use the personalities of the other attack on titan characters.
Time to read, enjoy!
What do you expect of me? Part 1
Dawn was breaking and with the sunlight the shadows of the night disappeared. In the morning light a figure stood. It was Bertholt staring at Annie's house. He hid in between some bushes and a tree. The bush and tree did not provide a good hiding spot since he was quite tall. However, he waited there.
He had the perfect plan, when this girl came out he would "casually" meet her as she was walking to the military camp, because they were still warriors and they had to report themselves to the militia. In that way they could walk together so he could compliment her and behave like a true gentleman. Hopping she would think that he was a good catch. It is said women can't resist the good manners of a nice, well intentioned young man like he was.
But the nerves had always been his constant companion and today was not the exception. His hands were sweating. He had to dry them constantly on his trousers. How Annie would want to hold his hands like that? All wet. He closed his eyes and practiced what he was going to say.
- What a coincidence! Do you live here? Your house is on my way. No, I don't mind we can walk together. Have you changed your hair style? No? It is the same for years, I haven't notice… No, I did notice. I like blond girls. Not all the blond girls. Just you…
- What are you doing here? – A familiar voice interrupted his clumsy monologue. It was a voice he liked to hear but he didn't expect to hear.
Annie was standing next to him. He looked at her, his heart stopped for a second.
- I.. am… I am looking for worms to go fishing – said Bertholt and immediately he start digging the ground with his hands looking for worms.
Annie, without saying anything bended down next to him. She moved the soil of the ground and almost immediately found a worm. She took it and put it on Bertholt's hands. His face turned red, not only because her action, truth is he hated worms. He felt grossed but he couldn't just throw it in front of her. He had to be strong.
Another worm wriggled on the ground and ended on Bertholt's hand.
- Thank you – said Bertholt with difficulty.
Annie looked at him with no expression, suddenly she hit Bertholt's hand and made the worms flew away. He felt relive for a moment until he made eye contact with the blong girl. The stood up immediately. Annie stood up as well. She shook her hands.
- I saw when you arrive here – said Annie – hours ago.
Bertholt did not know what to say. How to explain what he was doing there? The best to do was just apologizing and go.
- I… am sorry, I have to go now – The tall guy turn round ready to run but Annie took the sleeve of his shirt. What does that mean? Didn't she want him to leave?
He turned to look at her.
- Why did you come? – asked Annie.
- No… I did not…
- I am not a fool, Bertholot. You came to see me. What do you want?
Bertholt couldn't say anything. The words didn't come out of his mouth. After a moment of awkward silence Annie sighed. It was clear she would not get an answer.
- If you don't have anything to say that's fine – said the girl – but I don't want to see you outside my house again. Go and look for worms anywhere else.
Annie left Bertholt there, speechless. He felt like a hole in his stomach. What should he do now?
- Bertholt - Annie's voice brought him back. She was calling him from the entrance of her house – next time just knock the door. Don't stay outside like an idiot – after saying this she closed the door.
To knock the door? Was that an invitation to come to see her again? He thought this was not a lost cause. He would definitely come back, knock the door and bring a present for her and her father. Her father. That was another issue. If he came back to see her wouldn't he be interrogated by Mr. Leonhardt? He didn't know what kind of person he was. He had never talked to him before but he knew how tough he had been with his daughter. Too much pressure. But he didn't have a choice if he wanted the girl he had to face it. Good things are never easy to get.
x x x
Annie closed the door and sighed, this was the third time he saw Bertholt wandering around her house but this was the first time she actually went out to ask him what he wanted but she didn't get an answer.
- Did you find out what that kid Hoover wanted? – asked Annie's father. He was in the kitchen drinking a cup of tea. Annie shrugged her shoulders.
- Did you tell him I don't want to see him around him again?
- Yes
- Great – Mr. Leonhardt said.
- I told him if he had any business here he should knock the door.
- Really? I wonder if he will – Annie's father smiled ironically. He stood up and left the kitchen.
Annie looked through the window. Bertholt was gone. Would he come back? She knew how difficult would be for him, It'd be a complete disaster. Annie smiled thinking about the idea. She knew she made him nervous. He wasn't as insecure as before but before her he looks like he was going to wet his pants. What was his problem? Was she so frightening? Or maybe he likes her? No way. She didn't have time to think about these issues. She had to keep training because there were still other missions she could be sending to. Another mission. She was worried about that, years far away from home again. Not able to know if she would come back. But not just that. She felt ashamed. She failed the last mission, she failed becoming a warrior. Furthermore she heard, cause she didn't remember much, she was a bother for Rainer and Bertholt, she had to be rescued by them. After all these years of training and hard work she messed up everything. She felt she let her father down. Even when he looked happy for her return. Yes, she had other things in mind than Bertholt around her house. Maybe the tall guy wanted to pull a prank on her because all the troubles she caused to them. No, he was not like that.
Annie finished getting ready to go out. She was wearing a simple uniform. A green trousers and a brown shirt. When she was ready she went out. Thanks to Bertholt she was late… again.
Xxx
Bertholt and Reiner were forming a line with the other Warriors at the military base. Annie hadn't arrived yet.
- I thought you were going to pick up Annie. What happened? – asked Reiner to his tall friend.
- I didn't want to bother her and… I had other issues to attend – lied Bertholt.
Bertholt looked at the spot where Annie supposed to be. He was worry Annie did not arrive on time. She had to arrive before they started with the attendance list or she could be on trouble. He felt guilty because he made her waste time earlier. Well, it is not that Annie was very punctual either.
- I wonder if this time she manages to save her ass – said the girl next to the empty Annie's spot – It'd be fun to see what kind of punishment they put on her.
The subcommander entered the military base, everyone stayed still. He started calling the roll. At that precise moment Annie entered the base very calmly and occupied her spot. The subcommander looked at her with the corner of his eye. He continued. There were 20 warriors that for part of the titan shifter squad. When the subcommander finished he gave an announcement.
- According to experience and achievements some of you will be promoted. Those will be the new squad leaders. But before that you will received an special training and afterwards you will be evaluated. The names I mention next are those who earn this honor.
The subcommander made a sign and a his young assistant enter the place and hand over a list.
- The futures leader are Hissel Scott, Evan Mortimer, Ivan Fischer, Eva Benz, Reiner Braun y Bertholt Hoover. Congratulation. You should be proud of yourselves. This week will be your last week as Warriors. That's all, you can go.
Everyone waited the subcommaned leave the place so they can start talking about the promotions. Bertholt thought about the huge responsibility he will have now on. Also he thought it was strange Annie hadn't been mentions because she was with him and with Reiner in the mission inside the walls.
- I almost forgot – say the subcommander before leave – Leonhardt
It was definitely not fun hear her name. Annie was freaking out but she try not to show it. Did he forget mention her name with the others?
- You were late again – say the subcommander – and you don't seems to even care, let's see if three months working in the storehouse teach you some responsibility. Each minute you arrive late will be an extra week of work. Am I clear, Leonhardt?
- Yes, sir.
Some chuckles sound but were immediately silence by the look of the subcommander who finally leaved the place.
The girl next to Annie started laughing. No one wants to work in the storehouse it was a dirty place, dusty and with rats.
- They finally did it – said the girl next to Annie – It was about time. By the way, you were in the mission insides the walls, aren't you? They didn't mention your name at all. You really screwed it up, don't you? - she mocked.
- Shut up, Hissel – said Reiner – If someone should not be promoted is you. You will lead your team to dead.
- ¡Reiner! – the girl ignored what he said. She took Reiner by the arm. – Congrats, I am not surprised we were mention. See, we are meant to each other.
While Reiner was trying to put Hissel away, Annie turned around and leaved the place. She could hear the whispering of the others inside the military base.
- Annie, wait – Bertholt went after her – this is all my fault. I delayed you. I'm sorry.
- Don't be – she said – Even if you did. This is not the first time I'm late. It's my own fault.
Bertholt looked at her. She looked worried. Maybe for the other she always had the same expression but he had looked at her so many times for so long he could tell she was not ok. Was she worried about working in the storehouse? Or because she hadn't been promoted?
- I am sorry you weren't mention – said the tall guy – you were there with us inside the walls, they should recognize your work there. I can talk with the subcommander and explain…
- Explain what? – Annie cut him off – There is nothing to explain. I fail as a warrior. I didn't help the cause.
- That is not true! Without all the information you gave us we wouldn't be able to make the final plan. Because of that we succeed. Because of you.
Annie stayed in silence for a moment, listening to Bertholt. Was really like that?
- Anyway – said Annie – I don't think I can be a good team leader. I am not good at teamwork, you know that. I am sure they considered that to make their final call.
- But… In that case I'm not fit to be a leader either.
- May be, maybe not. Just don't let Reiner make all the decision for you. You can start with that.
Bertholt knew Annie was right. Reiner always had the control of the situation. He was a great leader.
- Maybe you should try to spend time with other people and not only with him. – Advice Annie.
If I spend more time with someone would be you, thought Bertholt. Maybe this was his chance to put something forward. What could he say? Shall we train together in the mornings? Or maybe go for a walk? Or have lunch together? Or he can pick her up every morning to make sure she wouldn't be late again. Yes, that sounded perfect.
- That… that sounds like a good idea – started saying Bertholt. His hands started to sweat – I should spend less time with Reiner… if… if you want we could…
¡Bertholdt! – A girl arrived, interrupting.
She took Bertholt's hand and start dragging him away. Bertholt was surprised and confuse about the sudden interruption.
– Come on, let's go. We are going to the town to celebrate the promotions.
Annie just look at the scene waiting to see if Bertholt would do something or just would let others make the decision for him, like always. Then the girl noticed Annie.
- You can come as well, storehouse girl.
- Thanks for the invitation – said Annie – I'd go but I don't want to.
Annie wanted to see some reaction from Bertholt. But he didn't know what to do. He wanted to stay there with Annie but he couldn't be rude to the other girl or to the others who were waiting for him. While he was putting his thoughts together the other girl kept pulling him away. Suddenly Bertholt stopped. The girl could not move him another inch. He obviously was stronger than her.
- What's wrong? – asked the girl.
Bertholt looked back but Annie was gone.
- I'm an idiot… – said Bertholt to himself.
To be continued….
XXX
Thanks for reading this. Don't forget to write a review if you liked it.
if you want to read the original version it is called "Señales intermitentes".
