A/N This is gonna be more of a fun, light-hearted chapter. Hope you guys are cool with that!
Despite the dire circumstances the young cadets were in, they were still teenagers, and so every once in a while, they acted like teenagers.
Accepted
The cadets cheered, for they had recently been officially accepted into the training corps. This meant a world more to one particular cadet, whom goes by the name Eren Jaeger. He had struggled to use the 3DMG, but he was determined, and he managed to do better. However, his trouble proved to be due to an error with the 3DMG. In the end, he had been accepted after all. It was a good thing too, because how else would he kill all titans?
That night, the future-soldiers stayed up late talking about their hopes and dreams with one another. Over in the boys' barracks, Eren spoke about his goal to murder the titans, which resulted in a heated clash between him and Jean. Reiner and Bertholt spoke of their village, without giving much detail. Connie and Marco conversed.
Meanwhile, in the girls' barracks, Ymir and Christa became better acquainted with one another. Sasha told Mikasa about all her favorite foods, but Mikasa was not really listening.
"So, Mikasa why did you join the training corps?" Christa asked, wanting to create conversation.
"I'm here to protect my friends," Mikasa replied in a firm voice.
"Hah! You don't have to pretend you're only here for your friends. You can admit it, you want glory, don't ya?" Ymir chimed.
Mikasa glared at the freckled girl. She decided against retorting. After all, wouldn't she be a hypocrite if she got into an argument after scolding Eren when he fought with Jean?
"Ymir, that's not very nice. I'm sure she cares about her friends very much," Christa defended her instead.
"Yeah, Ymir. I bet you just need to eat something and unwind a bit," Sasha suddenly suggested.
Annie kept her silence.
Although the other girls were siding with Mikasa rather than herself, Ymir appeared unfazed. She simply shrugged, and with that the conversation died down.
"Do any of you have anything ya wanna do once we're free?" It was Sasha who spoke after a while.
"Once we're free?" Annie questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"You know? Like once we defeat the titans, and humanity is safe again," Sasha answered.
"Like that'll ever happen," Ymir snickered.
"You're quite the downer, Ymir. Try to think more positively," said Christa. The blonde turned her attention towards Sasha. "Sasha, once we're free, I think I'd like to get married and be a lady,"
"You can marry me if you want!" Ymir exclaimed.
Christa looked back to Ymir. She wasn't sure how to reply to that, so she didn't.
"Personally, I'd like to open up a restaurant or something," Sasha said.
"Sasha, I think you would probably eat all the food," Mikasa pointed out, finally speaking.
"Isn't that the point of having a restaurant?" Replied Sasha. "Anyway, what would you like to do, Mikasa?"
"My friends and I will be traveling outside the walls. I will stay by their side," she answered.
"Wow, you really seem attached to those friends of yours, Mikasa," said Annie, rolling her eyes.
"I think loyalty is a very nice quality to have," Christa said.
"I disagree," said Ymir.
"Now, why would you say that?" Questioned Christa.
"It's just pointless. Loyalty is draining, I live for myself," Ymir answered.
"Hmph," Christa uttered, shaking her head. "In that case, what exactly does have a point?"
"If you're asking what I'll do, then I'll do whatever I want. That, at least, has a point to it," responded Ymir. At that, Christa sighed.
Silence daunted the girls once more. "I bet things are a lot more lively over at the boys' barracks. Shouldn't we be celebrating?" Sasha asked.
"I think so too, Sasha. Let's play a game," suggested Christa.
"I know! Let's play spin the bottle," Ymir said, rather excited.
"That game isn't fun without any boys," Christa replied.
"I disagree. Who needs boys anyway?" Ymir hastily responded.
"Hey, I have an idea guys!" Sasha announced.
Everyone turned to her. "What?" they all asked in unison.
"Okay, so I'm certain that instructor Shadis must be asleep by now. I bet we could sneak over to the boys' barracks with no trouble at all," Sasha answered.
"That's ridiculous," Annie muttered.
"Yeah! I mean, what are we a bunch of creepers? Are we really about to sneak into their barracks just to watch em sleep!" Ymir shouted.
Sasha facepalmed. "I meant to play spin the bottle with them! They're surely also still awake," she clarified.
"That's a good idea," Christa said, joy seeping through her voice.
"No, it's not. It's absurd! What good could come from that? It doesn't sound fun at all," Ymir said, shaking her head in protest.
"Well, it certainly beats sitting around here! I'd like to have as much fun as possible before we're out there slaying titans for the good of humanity!" Christa exclaimed, suddenly enraged.
"Who says you're joining them scouts, Christa? I won't allow you to get yourself killed following those suicidal maniacs around. You won't like it there anyway, Christa, trust me. Imagine a whole legion worth of Erens. That's what the Survey Corps are," Ymir explained.
"Maybe I will join the scouts, who knows! That's besides the point, though," Christa replied.
"Hey, you know what guys?" Sasha finally spoke again.
"Hmm?" Christa mumbled.
"I just realized, what does it say about us if we can't have any fun without boys? We should stick together and make our own fun, right?" she said.
"Yes! That's exactly what I've been trying to say!" exclaimed Ymir triumphantly.
Christa scratched the back of her head, deep in thought. "Okay, but we can't play spin the bottle then," she agreed.
"Why not?" Ymir pouted.
Back over at the boys' barracks, things were getting interesting...
Eren and Jean dueled in an arm-wrestling competition. Connie suggested to Armin, Reiner, Marco, and Bertholt that they play truth or dare. This caught Jean's attention, and so he let his guard down. Eren cherished the opportunity, and so he savagely slammed Jean's arm down into the table. "You little cheat!" Jean accused.
After the two boys were finished with the argument that ensued, Jean remembered the truth or dare game Connie proposed. "Oi, Connie, that game of truth or dare sounds fun, let's do it," he said with a grin.
"Okay, who else is in?" Connie asked. Reiner raised his hand, and Bertholt followed suit. Armin, although reluctantly, agreed to participate as well. Eren decided to kill some time, so he also joined the game. Marco proclaimed that he would play as well.
"But, I was thinking since Shadis and the other instructors are asleep by now, maybe we could go into the forest?" Jean suggested. There was a small forest nearby where the cadets practiced their 3DMG.
"Why?" Eren asked in an almost hostile tone.
"What's it to you, suicidal maniac?" Jean retorted.
"Hey, hey let's not start another fight again, okay?" Armin intervened. He didn't care to play peacemaker between the two as much as Mikasa did, but he really was getting sick of them fighting every second.
"Anyway, I was thinking if we went into the forest, we could also invite the girls to join our game," Jean finally explained his reasoning.
Connie snickered. The horse gave him a glare, as if to say, 'What's so funny?' "It's just, I know for certain, you only want to get the girls involved so that you can see that Ackerman girl again," he explained.
"What's your business with Mikasa?" Eren asked, eyes wide with fury.
Armin facepalmed, for he knew, the fight was not preventable.
"It certainly isn't any of your concern, Jaeger!" Jean shouted.
"The night's still young, we can have some fun. So, instead of fighting, let's go into the forest and play truth or dare," Marco said.
Things were going much better at the girls' barracks now. They played games, chatted, and grew close to one another. Ymir had them all convinced that boys were something to be avoided like the plague. Of course, she only said this to manipulate Christa. She hated it when the young Goddess in disguise concerned herself with men.
In fact, the freckled girl told tales of men being stupid, and she even made up rumors about the male cadets. Ymir was so convincing, that even Mikasa, who's best friends were boys, had started to question the gender as a whole.
Confusion surged through their minds as a knock hit the door from the outside. They wondered, 'who could be knocking at this hour?' Sasha trotted towards the door, and opened it. The male cadets stood on the other side.
Ymir whispered to Mikasa and Christa, "Look, what did I tell you? Those troublesome boys are at it again, bothering us this late at night! You know what to do," The girls nodded. They quickly gathered up the pillows from the bed, and began tossing them at the boys. Sasha herself joined in on the fun. However, Annie did nothing of the sort, not wanting to look childish.
Eren held his arms up in defense, as Mikasa launched a pillow at him. "Mikasa, what the hell?" He asked, enraged.
"Why are you here? It's bothersome, go to bed, Eren," she responded in monotone.
"Bothersome? Since when have you started dismissing me like some kind of insect?!" The boy fumed.
"Calm down, ladies. We come in peace," Reiner assured them.
At that, Ymir finally gave the girls the signal to halt their attack. "Go away, we were busy!" She demanded. She didn't want the boys to interfere with the time she had with Christa.
"We just thought you girls might like to join us in the forest for a game a of truth or dare," Reiner explained.
"Oooh! Ymir, that sounds fun!" Christa exclaimed happily.
"No, way! Remember what I told you all about this lot?" Ymir asked, gesturing towards the boys.
"I'm starting to think those were lies. Eren is not as dumb as you described him," Mikasa pointed out.
"Ymir, have you been insulting me behind my back!?" Eren asked, clearly angered. "And, you, Mikasa. I can't believe it's so easy to convince you that I'm stupid," the cadet said, shaking his head in disappointment.
Mikasa drifted her gaze downwards in shame, hiding her face behind the fabric of her red scarf.
"I think, Mikasa is right. Let's go have fun in the forest!" Sasha shouted in excitement.
"Yes! You can stay here if you want, Ymir," Christa said.
"Of course I won't. You'll need me to protect you from these fools," Ymir replied.
"Are you coming Mikasa?" Christa asked.
"I think not," the raven-haired girl answered.
"But, Mikasa... you have to come! I convinced them to invite you guys just so you could play too!" Jean suddenly said, desperation creeping into his tone.
"Called it!" Connie shouted in a prideful tone.
Eren glared at Jean, fire raging in his emerald eyes. He was about to confront the boy, but then Armin placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's not worth it, really," his blonde friend assured him.
Mikasa shook her head. "Sorry, Jean. I'm tired," she confessed, although it was a lie.
Ymir sighed. "Come on you'll regret not doing this once you're dead," the freckled girl said, as she shoved Mikasa out the door. Annie reluctantly followed the girls out as well.
The group continued to the forest, trying to be stealthy, but they were failing quite horribly. Thankfully, none of the instructors woke up from the commotion.
They reached their desired spot, and then Reiner spoke, "Okay, I'll get things started. Christa, truth or dare?"
"Truth," the girl confidently replied.
"Okay," Reiner thought for a moment. He had plently of questions he wanted to ask the blonde, but none of them were very appropriate. Instead he asked, "Why were you throwing pillows at us?"
"Oh, it's just that Ymir told us to. I hope I didn't hurt your feelings," she answered, suddenly feeling guilty.
"No, you didn't!" Reiner replied urgently, not wanting to upset her.
"Bertholt, truth or dare?" Annie asked.
"Dare," he said.
"Try to climb one of these trees," Annie ordered.
The trees were tall and it was not within Bertholt's extensive training to climb them, and so he failed.
"Mikasa, truth or dare?" asked Eren.
"Dare, I guess," Mikasa answered.
"I dare you to... laugh," Eren said. Most of the other cadets wondered why Eren chose such an easy dare, but he and Armin knew that Mikasa never laughed, ever. They didn't understand why, though.
Mikasa opened her mouth as if to produce the requested sound, but she quickly closed it again. "I don't remember how," she admitted, rather troubled.
"Mikasa , you serious? It's really easy, just like this, ahahahhaha!" Sasha said.
Mikasa opened her mouth in yet another attempt. This time she was able to produce a sound, but it sounded more like a creepy, devious, unnatural, giggling of sorts. Perhaps the noise someone would make after murdering another person?
"Mikasa, that was horrible, it doesn't count," Eren said, unsatisfied.
"Are you saying that you don't like my laugh, Eren?" Mikasa accused.
"Shit, Eren. She looks angry, and this is Mikasa we're talking about. She's always stoic! You better not answer incorrectly," Armin warned in an urgent whisper.
"Of course that isn't what I meant, Mika!" Eren nervously assured her. "You can dare me next," he quickly offered, hoping to make amends.
"Alright, fine. Eren, truth or dare?" Her voice was cold as she asked the familiar question.
Eren could tell that she was still angry, and so he was afraid to choose dare, considering that in her state she'll probably demand he do something ridiculous. "Truth," the boy replied.
"Hmmm... I really already know everything about you, though. I think it would be more fun if you did a dare," Mikasa replied deviously.
Eren gulped. "Okay, dare," he reluctantly agreed.
"I want you to sing a song, and it has to been a song that you come up with youself," She demanded.
"Uhh, ?here come the Scouts, running with slashing blades. They're here to kill the titans! So, be gone you mindless crazed fools! ?" Eren quickly concluded his song.
"Eren, that was horrible, it doesn't count," Mikasa said, unsatisfied.
"Ehh, you saying you don't like my singing?" Eren replied. 'Two can play this game' he thought to himself.
"Well played, the both of you. Let's wrap it up. Armin truth or dare?" Bertholt said.
"Truth," the blonde replied.
"Uhh, Reiner, you ask him something," Bert panicked, unable to think of a question.
"Okay, Armin, have you ever drank alcohol?" Reiner questioned.
Armin shook his head. "Nope," he answered truthfully.
"That reminds me. We should go sneak some bread from the kitchen!" Sasha eagerly suggested.
"Alright, I'll go with you," Reiner offered, and the two left.
"Christa, truth or dare?" Ymir asked.
"Dare," answered Christa.
"Marry me," Ymir replied.
"Uhh," murmured Christa, no words escaped her lips.
Soon, Reiner and Sasha came back. Sasha was eating bread, meanwhile Reiner appeared to be holding something behind his back. "Look what I found!" He exclaimed, revealing the bottle of liquor.
"Reiner, we could get in trouble!" Bertholt said.
"Don't worry about it. I picked the cheapest one, they won't be missing it," Reiner assured him with a wink.
Some of the cadets shared the alcohol, however Mikasa, Annie, Armin, Bertholt, and Eren all refused. Eren claimed that he had to train the next day and he didn't want a hangover. Armin and Bertholt didn't want to be irresponsible. Mikasa and Annie were simply not interested in the substance.
The ones who drank got drunk pretty fast. "Jean, truth or dare?" Connie asked, his words were slurred.
"Dare," replied Jean.
"I dare you to kiss Mikasa," he said.
Jean, clearly not in the right mindset and totally loving the idea of getting to kiss Mikasa, actually staggered towards her. Of course, before he could reach her, Eren had roughly shoved the horse away.
"I don't care if you're drunk, Kirstein, you've pissed me off quite enough times tonight," Eren said, grabbing the collar of Jean's shirt.
"It was just a prank bro!" Jean defended himself.
"Wow, he really must be drunk," Armin commented. Mikasa nodded in agreement.
It was when Christa passed out that the cadets knew, it was time to call it a night. After the two groups bid farewell, the boys took off back to their barracks.
Mikasa reached down to pick up Christa, Ymir however, was having none of that. The drunk girl gave the sober girl a hefty punch. Mikasa was not prepared to dodge it, and the hit was enough to knock her out.
"Well done, Ymir. Now, we have two unconscious people on our hands," Annie said, the sarcasm notable in her tone.
The blonde did her best to carry a sleeping Mikasa back to the barracks, but it was difficult, for Mikasa was bigger than Annie herself. Meanwhile, Ymir carefully scooped up Christa, tightly securing the girl in her arms.
When Sasha finally lent Annie a hand with Mikasa, the girls were able to reach the barracks. They deposited Mikasa and Christa on their beds, after that they all went to sleep.