Over the next few days, Eren did exactly as his friends had recommended, and spent time with Annie at her cell. Or rather, as much time as he could bring himself to.

The first day Eren visited Annie, he had once more shared no words with her, and left within minutes of arriving. He was tempted to try again later that day but couldn't bring himself to do it. Five days were left.

On the second day, Eren managed to convince himself to stay for a much longer duration and found that several thoughts had began to swirl in his mind. However, none of them wanted to come out, and this time, Annie opted to stay silent. Four days left.

The third day was just as uneventful. Eren had arrived way later than he usually did, and somehow, he looked worse than usual. Maybe it was the stress over this whole marriage thing, or maybe it was because with all the new people coming from Marley, and with visitors from Hizuru, the distrust between people was on an all time high. Once more, Annie stayed silent, not expecting Eren to say anything either. Three days to go.

Then came the fourth day. The fifth day Eren had seen Annie, not just since Historia had ordered him to, but also the fifth since her crystallization way back when. Only a couple of days left, and Eren still hadn't spoken to Annie once. This frustrated him, and these daily silent meetings got on Annie's nerves. But this time, progress was made, surprisingly.

Eren hadn't put any extra thought into this day as he had any other. He hadn't even prepared anything to say to his fellow shifter. Something felt different though, like Eren would be able to spill his feelings about everything going on and find a fitting resolution.

As usual per the past few days, the brunette found himself stood in front of the cell, staring Annie down. He was about to give up again, and turned to do so, but was stopped by a voice.

"Don't go." Annie's voice. Of course. It wasn't something he was hearing because of his connection to the paths, something that had been happening more and more frequently since he first triggered these memories, especially during moments of distress. Something was different about Annie's voice though. It sounded needy and desperate. In all the time Eren had known the blonde, she never once sounded needy or desperate.

He turned to face back towards the cell, and his apparent future wife (if all went according to Historia's plan, that is).

"Hm?"

The current holder of the Female titan continued. "You keep on coming here to see me but then you leave without an explaining why, and no one else has said anything to me. So just this once, stay. I want to know what's going on."

Eren gave in, feeling guilty. He had been essentially torturing Annie after all. Mentally, that is. "Nothing's happening. Nothing important, at the very least."

That was the first time Annie had heard Eren's voice since Stohess. It was gruff and deeper than before, so it took her a moment to connect the voice to the person. She sat up on her bed. "You're lying."

"No, I'm not." Was his response, almost a bark.

Annie huffed. "Yes, you are. I knew you for many years Eren. We were…" She didn't know what to say. Friends? Eren counted Annie as a friend, didn't he? But Annie wasn't 100% on the exact nature of their relationship then. Or maybe she could say partners? They had been each other's combat partner during the cadet corps. "something…"

"So what if we were? That has nothing to do with anything anymore." Technically a lie. "I don't even know what you want me to say. Hell, I don't know what I'm allowed to say."

"Then," Annie took a moment to consider what she wanted to know. "why don't we catch up? It's been a while and I'm…curious."

"You're in shackles, in a cell deep underground…and you want to catch up?" Eren retorted, unsure of the prisoner's intent.

"What else is there to do Jaeger? I've been out of commission for God knows how long, and all I get for entertainment is the occasional interaction with Christa-"

"Historia." He corrected.

"Right, she goes by her real name now. And then your Captain and Commander have told me some things too. Other than that, I just get to sit here all day and do nothing. But I assume since I'm under the Queen's castle there's a reason for me to be kept alive."

Eren gained a puzzled look. "How'd you know where you were?"

The Leonhardt girl shrugged, almost as if the answer were obvious. "I guessed."

"Really?" The brunette was intrigued.

'Fool.' Annie smirked and shook her head. "I see you're as dumb as ever. No, I was told this by Historia."

"Oh." Eren was sort of disappointed by that, but only because he figured that Annie would be able to…well, figure it out herself. At least the Annie he knew probably could. He moved to stand directly in front of the cage. "So, what do you know then?"

"Since Stohess?" As soon as the blonde said that, the two looked away from each other, the memory of the event being painful. "Well, a lot. I know that your brother invaded the walls," Idiot. "I know that Reiner and Bertolt outed themselves as titans," Idiots. "Ymir turned out to be the titan that killed Marcel, you guys overthrew the Government and Historia became Queen. Then your old Commander died, Bert died," Idiot. "Reiner and Zeke nearly died," Idiots. "Armin ate Bert and you finally made it back to your home and learnt about the outside world. I'm actually impressed about that." 'If not a little happy for you.' "After that, you wiped out all the titans and reached the ocean."

The Founding and Attack titan's holder reviewed what he had just been told. "Huh, so you know just about everything, more or less. Who filled you in? Historia?"

"Yup. For some reason she thought it'd be useful for me to know. Or maybe she just wanted someone to talk to." Was her answer.

"You may not have been friends with Historia, but she's one of the nicest people I've ever met. I think she wanted to make sure you wouldn't go crazy, and also wanted to let you know that people from your past were still here." Eren praised his friend. "Anyway, since you know all of that, how much do you know about what's happened to me?"

Annie coughed a couple times, indicating to Eren that her throat was dry. "Want me to get you some water?" He offered, though he didn't know why. Annie was sort of his enemy, but also someone he cared for, and was supposed to marry, so maybe that's why.

His female companion scrunched her features, not expecting such an offer. "No, that's…I'm fine." And then she added a quick "Thanks though".

Eren brushed it off. "So? What do you know about me?"

Taking a few moments to think it over, Annie shifted in place and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "Honestly, not a lot. Care to fill me in? It'd be best to learn from the source, right?"

Agreeing, the doctor's son began to explain. "Back when Reiner and Bertolt tried to run off with Ymir, Historia and myself, I had been gravely injured and was unable to transform or fight."

Interrupting him, Annie queried her old training partner. "Didn't you have your ODM gear?"

"No, one of them had stolen it from me." He continued. "Anyway, not long after, many of us in the Survey Corps and Military Police were killed or injured, and me and Mikasa were brought head to head with the titan that killed my mom. To this day, I still don't know exactly what happened, but I…I freaked out. I saw it kill Hannes, and I went crazy and punched it. That's when I first used the power of the Founding titan and the coordinate."

Annie's eyes flew wide open. THE Founding titan? THE coordinate? The same thing she had been sent to retrieve along with Reiner, Bertolt and Marcel? "You…you have the abilities of the Founding titan?"

"Yeah, I inherited it from my dad, along with the Attack titan. Believe me, it was a huge surprise to us too. Some time after that, Historia and I were kidnapped by Rod Reiss, her father, and were taken to an underground cave where I was chained up in preparation to be eaten. That's when the abilities of the Founding titan came back into play. I started to see memories, not just my own, but my father's and those of Historia's sister too. Also, the man my father inherited the Attack titan from."

"You saw their memories? What's that like?" Annie was genuinely curious. After all, everyone only has their own memories, not anyone else's.

Eren rubbed his eyes, not only from exhaustion, but also from the strain that having to take on all these memories had. "It's hell. Sometimes I feel like I'm being influenced by my predecessors, and really their memories come at the most inopportune times. Whenever I experience these memories, it's almost as if I was there…as if I were that person, and the strain it puts on my mind can be excruciating. There are times when it feels easier on me, which tends to be when I come into contact with Historia, but more often than not it's more pressure than I can handle."

"Huh," Annie concentrated her sight on Eren's eyes, and noted that they certainly looked different. Tired. Lost. Heavy. Not the ones she recognized from the Eren she knew. With enough of a focus, Annie could just about make out the fragments of the old Eren, but from what it seemed, he was telling the truth. "that must suck." She paused. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry you have to go through that."

This reaction stunned Eren momentarily. During their time in the 104th, or even past that, Eren hadn't once heard Annie apologize for anything. Whether it be sympathy or empathy, neither came from Annie. That's not to say that Eren didn't appreciate it. And he guessed that since Annie was in fact a titan shifter like him, she could attempt to empathize with him now. Wait…couldn't she have done so from the start?

Either way, "Thanks." was his response, along with a warm smile. He'd been smiling an awful lot recently. It felt weird. "Anyway, after that whole ordeal, I gained the ability to harden my titan's body, sort of like Reiner, when I ingested some strange bottle in a panic. We then went to fight Rod's titan, and after a bit defeated it. And I guess the final thing to say is we reached Shiganshina, fought against Reiner, Bertolt and Zeke, and made it to the basement." The brunette gave himself a couple moments to regain his breath from the long-winded explanation. "That's about it."

"I guess you've been through quite a lot. I'm surprised you didn't die somewhere along the way." Annie retorted, though it was mostly jokingly.

"Hey!" Eren came back with, before the two teens set off shyly smiling at each other, Annie giving a small huff as an alternative to a chuckle.

Over the next 5-10 minutes or so, the two shifters exchanged words through various topics, though it was mostly coming from Eren. Because, y'know, Annie was in jail, and had previously been encased in a crystal. Not much had been happening there.

There was a line they mutually agreed to not cross, or rather knew not to cross. That being the one that would lead to a path of exploration of their shared past, by which I mean anything related to their fight, Annie's betrayal or her mission, and anything like that. Neither wanted to ruin the current flow of conversation or the mood presented by it. In the back of his mind though, Eren knew he'd ultimately have to confront Annie about this. That was his whole reasoning for being there, for talking to her in the first place.

Soon enough, their conversation slowed down and was led to an end. It had to though, and it was beginning to get dark, leaving limited time for Eren to get this whole thing over with.

Their last topic of conversation had come to an end, that of Annie asking for more details on things that had happened over the last few years, and Eren filling in those blanks. Just as it came to a conclusion, Annie finalized their peaceful back and forth. "Hey, Eren?"

"Yeah?" At this point he had retreated to the wall opposite the cell, leaning against it.

The blue-eyed girl (who had returned to sitting cross legged on her bed) flicked a few loose strands of hair from her face, jangling her shackles as she did so, reminding her of her situation. At some point in this talk with Eren, Annie had forgotten about being chained up. His presence was fairly comforting and was nice to be in given her impending doom. It was an escape from reality.

"Thanks for this. For everything." A heartfelt confession.

"Huh?" He raised an eyebrow. "I mean, you're welcome, but what for?"

"Well, I assumed that you came to say goodbye since I'll likely be killed soon. Whether it be execution, or eaten by someone to transfer my powers, it's gonna happen. Otherwise why would you wait until now to see me? And why would I be kept in a special cell under the castle, not anywhere else?" Was her answer.

Eren stepped back towards the bars separating him and the prisoner. "I-it's not like that." Hopefully. "That's not why I'm here."

"Why then?"

"Because-" He stopped. "Do you mind if I sit down for this?"

"S…sure." Annie was a little bit alarmed. She didn't know what was going on. Had there been a different meaning behind Eren's appearance?

To add to the confusion, as she replied, Eren had started getting comfortable. But not by pulling up a chair or sitting on the floor. Instead what he did was fish a set of keys from his pocket, unlock the door to Annie's cell and place himself a respectable distance away from her on the bed.

"W-what are you doing?" She was baffled.

"Sitting down?" He curved his lips ever so slightly, smirking.

"But…I don't…what?"

"What? I've been stood for a while, I wanted to rest my legs." Eren replied, tiptoeing around the subject.

Annie looked up at his features, studying them much easier now she had a closer look. "Aren't you worried I'll steal those keys and escape?"

Eren put the keys down between his companion and himself. "Nah, none of these keys work for your restraints." He picked them back up, looking through them. "At least…I don't think they do…Even so, I know you're currently too weak to fight back or transform." The keys were then returned to their spot. "Besides, I trust you not to!"

For the next few moments all Annie could bring herself to do is stare at Eren, mouth agape and eyes once again wide open. 'He trusts me? What the hell is that idiot on about?' After a few more moments, Annie regained her composure. Most of it. "You…trust me, Eren? Why are you being so casual around me? So nice to me? After all I've done, I don't…I don't deserve any of this…"

'Guess we're jumping right into it then.' Spreading his arms behind him, Eren leant back and stared off into the distance. "You want to know why I waited until now to talk to you?"

"Please."

"Because I had no reason to." He looked over to Annie, gauging her reaction. She was visibly hurt, shrinking into herself. "No, that's not entirely true. There were times when I did want to see you and talk to you, but I could never bring myself to do it. God, I'm weak, aren't I?"

Annie squinted her eyes at Eren and could feel tears wanting to well up. What her old training partner had said was somewhat insulting. They were…something, after all. "So why are you here?"

"Well," He started. "you weren't wrong when you said you might die soon. But I'm here at Historia's request because we want to save you. Your death is the last thing we'd want to come out of this."

"Why would you want to save me though? If I'm going to die, then let me die. I deserve to die." Her voice sounded rough. "Wait…why might I die soon?"

"I only found out about this recently, from Historia actually, but the council are planning on disposing you. Historia has, however, found a loophole that will only work if you agree to it. Or rather, if we both agree to it." Eren stated clearly.

"A loophole? Care to elaborate?" None of Annie's attention was divided elsewhere. A chance at living interested Annie, even if she didn't think she deserved it.

"Uh, sure. To put it simply, we'd have to get ma-" All of a sudden, a deep blush covered Eren's cheeks, and the fact that he was looking at the girl he loved didn't help. To hide it, he swiftly turned the over way, coughing as he did so. "Before I tell you, there's something I have to ask."

Annie stayed silent, puzzled as to why Eren turned away from her.

Eren cleared his throat and contemplated if it really was worth asking Annie this question here and now. Perhaps he could come back tomorrow? On second thought, no. He had to do it now. It was now or never.

"Why'd you do it?"

The girl waited for a continuation. Many thoughts came to mind about what could be behind that question. Annie had done many things in her life. Many questionable things. Many irredeemable things. When no explanation came, Annie had to ask for one.

"Do what, exactly?"

Betray us. Lie to us. Kill those close to us. Destroy our cities. Put up a façade for all those years and turn it around at the last second. Go against the promises you made.

Break my fucking heart.

Eren returned to facing Annie. "Any of it."

"Because I had to." Was her response. Perhaps not the correct one, but the most reasonable one at that point in time.

Eren shook his head, lips pushed together. "That's not good enough Annie. I need a proper answer."

She thought of a new answer. Or at least attempted to.

"Because I was forced to."

"No."

No? What was that supposed to mean?

"Because it was my mission?"

"You're sounding unsure of yourself now."

"Because I-"

Before she could finish, Annie was cut off by Eren. "Annie, before you give me your answer, please just take a moment to think this through. I need you to give me an honest answer. I want to help you out, and if you can't help me out and be honest with me, then I don't know how we're going to work this out."

Staring intensely at her male companion, Annie was visibly tense. It appeared she had been bottling something up, and now it was being unleashed.

"You son of a bitch."

"Wha-"

"No, now I do the talking. You shut up! Just shut up for once in your goddamn life, Jaeger!" The blonde barked in command at Eren. Did he cross some sort of line? "Do you really think you can just walk in here after all these years and expect us to talk like old war buddies? Expect me to open up to you like it's nothing and go along with your plan. Did you even once consider my feelings?"

Annie was right. He hadn't really ever done so. Up till now the brunette had been selfish, only taking into mind his own feelings. Well, when he had the energy to do so, that is.

"I was just a kid, not even 10 years old when I got sent on this mission, okay?!" At this point she had moved as far towards Eren as she could, yanking her chains as far as they would let her. "A mission where I had to live among the enemies of the people who sent me here! A mission where I had to kill people I lived among! A mission that stripped me away from my father who I haven't seen in I don't know how long!"

"Annie, I didn't know…"

"Exactly, you didn't, but you should have! I was scared out of my mind, terrified every second of every day that somehow, I'd be found out and something bad would happen to me! I've been down here, bored out of my mind and all alone. I would've thought that maybe you, the boy…the person I was closest to, would visit me at least once, but you didn't. The only person I know who came was Historia, and her and I talked maybe twice in our time in the 104th. I sat here, waiting day after day for you to finally come. I wanted to apologise to you so many times, but you never came…"

Annie had pulled back a small bit, her voice growing rough. "I wanted you to come so badly, but I started to lose faith…and then you never came…We were friends or training partners or…something. I don't know what you thought I was to you, but you were my best friend and I hoped that maybe you could understand me, maybe you could notice what was wrong and help me. But then…but then you came to Stohess, and all the guilt caught up to me and I had no way out. Perhaps if you had noticed me earlier, or if Ackerman and Arlert hadn't lured me into that trap I could have explained but it all went wrong, and I had no choice but to fight back."

The blonde gave herself a moment to breathe, knowing she currently had control over the situation. It was in this moment that she noticed her eyes had been dripping tears, and that Eren's had been filled with concern.

"And now…I'm being punished. I've been locked up with little to no human interaction, and I know I deserve it but…I just wanted you to be there. I wanted there to be one constant in my life that would be there for me, but instead I've been left for torture." Her breathing had turned heavy. "So there, that's why I did it! Are you happy now?"

Eren didn't know what to say. What could he say? Annie had just let herself become vulnerable for the first time, and now he had to somehow bring it all back around into a positive light.

"I…no, I don't…think so. I mean…I'm glad you could finally be honest with me, in fact I'm so happy you trust me enough to do so, but I didn't mean to hurt you this way. I…" The troubled boy paused, and all of a sudden, without warning, Annie felt herself pulled against something. Eren had climbed onto the bed, approached his friend and carefully brought her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her. "Thank you."

Annie couldn't quite comprehend the actions of her…oh screw it, her crush, her lover, her ex-boyfriend. The two of them had dated for a short time in the 104th. Well, dated is more of a loose term. They…clearly had feelings for each other and attempted to act upon them in as much secrecy as they could. This wasn't your typical teenage relationship with the pet names and the hand holding and the secret kissing and cuddles and the likes. It was more like trying to figure out what those feelings meant, trying to be there for each other and maybe, just maybe, getting in a kiss or two. That is, if Annie was in the mood, or if Eren was sneaky enough.

However, after a few weeks they had to break it off. Both teens genuinely wanted to see the relationship through, but Annie knew that that wouldn't be possible. She knew that with all the sneaking around Reiner and Bertolt made her do, she wouldn't have the energy to live this alternative life. She knew that she would never fit in among the people within the walls. And she knew that if Eren ever found out about her true identity, about all she's done both in the past and since arriving to the walls, that he would feel a betrayal deeper than any before. Their feelings would become muddled up in the moment and chaos would ensue. And, as they both now know, that was what happened. So, they had to end it. There were no hard feelings, but there was plenty of regret.

Back to the present, the blonde was still in confusion at the male's actions. She relented to his warm embrace, lifting her chained arms to hold onto him. "Thank you? Why…why are you thanking me?"

Eren gently caressed his fingers through her golden tresses, an action that proved to be comforting for the both of them. It was Eren had only performed once in the past, not discontinued because they hated it, but because Annie had momentarily found it embarrassing, and felt that it would lead to her feelings for her then boyfriend to grow even more, meaning the heartbreak would also be greater.

"Because you finally opened up to me and placed your trust in me. And now, we can carry out Historia's plan to save you." The younger of the Jaeger brothers replied.

After a few short moments, the imprisoned titan shifter spoke up. "I never said I trusted you, Eren." Eren released her from his grasp and moved back.

"I know, but…" Time was running out. He had to convince Annie on what do to soon. "I want you to. I want you to let me help you so that we can salvage whatever's left of what there was between us."

"Oh…I understand…" Sorrow filled the Leonhardt girl's heart, but it was nice to hear where Eren was coming from. "You never answered my question." Eren gave her a puzzled look, having forgotten it among all the stress and emotions flowing. "Why do you want to save me?"

"Right, uh, I guess we got side-lined a bit." He cleared his throat. "Well, it's simple. It's because I'm in love with you, Annie Leonhardt."

Annie was taken aback hearing that. Eren…was still in love with her? Even after all she's done, all they've gone through…his feelings hadn't subsided?

"T-that doesn't…uh…explain why though…" The female titan stammered out. The fact that this idiot who she used to love still held her in high regard and carried those feelings baffled Annie. She destroyed his whole world for God's sake, why couldn't he just hate her like any normal person would?

"Actually, it's not that simple." Oh…maybe he lied about his feelings. Just as Annie could tell her feelings for him were returning, just as her chest began to tighten, it reversed. "Wait, crap, no…I mean I do still have feelings for you, I DO still love you…I just..." Never mind. Eren was just an idiot. "Ah dammit, I messed up, didn't I?"

Annie let out a small laugh, followed by a hum. "How long are you going to remain a fool, Eren?"

The usually depressed man looked directly into the female's eyes, completely serious. "As long as it takes to make you happy."

Despite the chilled temperature of the room, all Annie could feel was warm. And loved. And content. At peace. "So is that why you want to save me?"

"Well, yeah, kind of." He let out a huff through his nose, his voice changing to a more serious tone. "Annie, listen…I've wanted to make you happy for a long time. I don't know if I'll be able to do it but… I have to try."

At some point Annie felt something brush over her hand. Wait, when had Eren slipped his fingers into her own?

"We've both been through a lot, everyone has, and I know that doing what you did wasn't easy. It wasn't even your own choice, but it was a burden you were forced to bear, something I can relate to." Eren drew back his hand. "I suppose I can relate to you in a lot of ways. Unfortunate ways, but ones we have to live with."

Annie knew what he meant. Being forced to become a titan. Having fathers who had no choice but to bestow those powers upon you. Losing loved ones. Being scared every second of your life that something could go wrong. And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

"My point is that, even though you left me behind, even though you lied to me and made me fight you, I still want you to be happy." An almost infectious smile crossed his face. "You're someone special to me, someone important in my life. I know I may not be able to take you home to your father, and I know that you might not want to accept my offer, but I'll still try nevertheless. I'll make it my goal to ensure your happiness before the curse overcomes you."

It was…sweet, what Eren was saying. There were no signs of deceit hidden anywhere, though Annie knew there was no point searching for them. Only Eren would do this sort of thing, no one else. Only he would throw away all the bad stuff just to find the good. Only he would stand up for himself while the majority look down on him. Only he would try to save Annie.

His offer was tempting, very tempting. And it was one Annie was going to take.

A few brief moments of consideration later (very short ones at that), and Annie responded. "Okay."

"Okay? Is…is that a good kind of okay or a bad kind?" Eren asked of Annie. He had a sneaking suspicion that she meant the good one, but with someone like her, you can never be too sure.

The blonde huffed again. "The good kind."

Eren was more than glad to hear that. "R-really?"

"Yeah, I mean I…I share those feelings you have for me, and I want to find some form of happiness. With you, that is." This time Annie was the one to slip her fingers into Eren's. They fit surprisingly well. "Look, Eren. I know I was never the greatest friend to you, and I know I've hurt you time and time again, but I truly never meant to. I didn't want to break up with you, or fight you in Stohess, but I had to. I had no other choice, and for that, I'm sorry."

The sensation of Annie's fingers caressing his own was electrifying. It was like seeing a whole new side of Annie, or at least seeing more of the one he saw for those few weeks. Doing whatever it took to make Annie happy, even if it meant going against orders from the higher ups, was definitely worth it.

"You don't need to apologise to me. I've come to understand why you did what you did."

Annie moved her hand to hold onto Eren's, squeezing it gently. "I know. You're the type of guy who'd probably say something corny like 'I forgave you a lot time ago' or something like that."

"Hey!" The brunette knew it was likely true, but still, not like she had to point it out. "So, what's your point then?"

"My point? I guess it's…" Annie placed her other hand over Eren's eyes, blocking his sight.

"W-wha…what're you doing?"

She removed her hand. "Close your eyes." He did.

The Leonhardt's voice grew sincere. "I don't want there to be any more secrets between us."

"O-oka-" Eren's response was interrupted by the touch of something soft on his lips. He momentarily opened his eyes, closing them once he realised what had happened. Doing so, he used his free hand to cup his lover's cheek, deepening the kiss. For both young adults, they relished in the feel of their action of affection, missing it from their younger days. But now, it seemed that everything was going to be alright.

Eventually, the two love struck fools broke apart, though only by a tiny distance. A clear rosy hue on her cheeks, Annie was the first to speak up. "I'm in love with you, Eren."

Eren was speechless. He hadn't expected Annie to say that so soon, and yet he was elated that she had.

Breathing heavily through her nose, Annie nervously continued, curiosity overcoming her. "So, um…err…how-" She cleared her throat, ridding herself of the nerves. "What's the plan then?"

"Plan? What plan?" Eren gave a puzzled look, the power of the kiss almost completely causing him to forget his true purpose for all of this. "Oh, right! The loophole. Okay, so what we'd have to do is – and if you want to think about it for a couple days then that's fine, or if you don't even want to do it because this thing between us is new then I'm sure we can find some other way – but what we'd have to do is…"

"Come on, Jaeger, spit it out already." Annie wanted to know how her life could be saved, or rather, how she could not waste the few years she had remaining from the curse of Ymir.

"Marry me?" Were the two words that quickly followed, leaving Annie starstruck.

"W-wha?"

Eren calmed himself down. "I said marry me."

The rosy hue from earlier had returned. "But…why? I don't understand." Not that she was complaining.

The Jaeger boy attempted to carry out an explanation. "Well Historia found an old loophole, saying that when a man and woman marry, the woman legally becomes their property. For some reason it was never written over, though I suppose in this case we're lucky it wasn't."

"And if I legally become yours then…"

"Then they can't touch you. No one can." Eren answered. "The higher ups won't be able to execute you or force you to be eaten by another titan. They can't do anything to you."

Annie's heart started pounding. "So…"

"So, we'll have to get marr-"

He was interrupted "Okay."

"And we'll have to live toge-"

He was interrupted again. "Yeah."

Eren could tell that as each moment passed, Annie was growing more and more excited.

"Some of the others might hate us."

"I don't care."

"They might find a way to beat-"

The blonde's heart was thumping loudly within her chest. "Doesn't matter. Let's…let's get married!"

"Okay! Then, let's do it. You sure you wanna do it?"

She replied as if obvious. "Definitely." One of her rare, warm smiles crossed her face. "I love you Eren."

Picking up the set of keys he had entered with, Eren grasped Annie's shackles. "I love you too."

Annie became puzzled following Eren's actions. "Wait, what are you doing?" He inserted a key into a lock, twisting it.

"Releasing you from your confinement. Or do you not want to come with me to see Historia and tell her the good news?" The shackle fell from Annie's wrist, and she immediately went to rub the spot where it was, enjoying the freedom.

Eren unlocked the other shackle, fully releasing his lover…girlfriend…fiancée?

Right as she was freed, Annie wrapped her arms around Eren. "Thank you."

The smile on the other titan shifters face brought a smile to his own, and a lasting heat to his chest. After Eren was released from Annie's grasp, he stood up, and offered her a hand. "Shall we?"

Gingerly placing her hand in his, Annie stood up, holding onto her lover to avoid falling over since her body hadn't regained full strength as of yet. It was only then that Annie noticed how much Eren had grown compared to her. Damn, he was tall. "Let's go."

Flashing a cheeky smile, Eren retorted. "I'm gonna marry the shit out of you."