Aaand I'm back!

This one's based on Crash And Burn (from Savage Garden)

Disclaimer: Still don't own SnK.


Crash And Burn

Annie watched the funeral pyre, her eyes wide. She felt disturbed.

Mina was dead. Thomas was dead. Marco was dead. And they were responsible for it all.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm sorry."

Reiner and Bertholdt were standing on the other side of the fire. She couldn't look at them, not after knowing what they'd done.

Hypocrite, she thought, you're no better.

Thats what they were. Murderers. They'd murdered their friends, their allies. The knowledge of it lay on her chest like a lead weight, making it hard for her to breath. She blinked, once, twice, then ran a hand over her face, . It came back covered with sweat. Cold sweat.

What had they done?
She needed air. She needed to breathe. Turning quickly, she walked away, away from the burning, away from the dead. I don't want to do this, she kept repeating in her head. I want to go home.
But she couldn't go home till she was done. And by the time she would be done the world would hate her. They would kill her. All of them.
She turned a corner and leaned against the wall, one hand on her chest, trying to breathe. "I'm sorry," she said. "I'm sorry."

I hate myself.

Suddenly, warm arms enveloped her. Annie jumped, instinctively elbowing the person in the gut.
"Oof!" The person groaned, backing away and letting her go. She turned to see Armin sprawled on the ground. "Armin?" She said, shocked. "What the hell?"

"You looked upset," Armin gasped, rubbing his stomach, "I-I thought maybe you needed someone."
Annie stared at him. She would have to kill him too, one day.

"Go away," she said, turning away to hide her face. "Not tonight. Please."

"Annie." Armin stood up, wincing slightly. He went over to her and hugged her again, more gently this time. "You can't be alone at a time like this. We're-" He paused, chocking back a sob. "-we're all that's left for each other. I won't let you go."

Annie bit her lip, feeling tears well up in her eyes and run down her cheeks. She rubbed them away quickly, angry at her sudden emotion.
"I'm sorry," she cried, miserable. "I'm sorry."
"I know," Armin whispered. "Don't hold them back. The dead deserve to be mourned."
Annie turned around and hugged tightly. Burying her face against his neck, she allowed herself to cry, cry long and hard for everything she'd done and everything shed had to do. Armin rubbed her back, and she could feel him sobbing as well. They sank to their knees, clinging to each other in the darkness and pain.
Please don't hate me, Annie thought, pulling him close, please don't hate me for what I have to do. I hate myself enough already.
Finally, when her tears ran out and her emotion was spent, Annie pulled away. She pushed her hair away from her face, feeling hot and uncomfortable.

Armin offered her a weak, watery smile. His face was red and puffy. "Better?" he asked, his voice scratchy.
"Better than you," Annie told him. He gave small laugh, then broke into a cough. Annie took his hand and rubbed it.

"Please don't die Armin," she told him, trying to keep her voice steady. "Please don't-" Please don't leave me.

Armin nodded. "I won't," he told her, gripping her hand tightly. "As long as you promise the same." He leaned close, resting his forehead against hers. "We can do this. We can survive."


Eh, I know its short.

But please review! Thank you!