I woke up on my bed, and alone. I really should've heeded Erwin's warning before I joined the corps. But nothing ventured, nothing gained right? Though what did I gain, really? Heartache? I decided to not think of it for now. And since I performed quite well during the last expedition – considering it was my first time – I think I should stay and lend my strength. There's nothing else for me to do anyway.
I guess lady luck hates me so much right now though, that I woke up with puffy eyes and a clogged nose. I feel like I'm going to have the flu. Ugh. A knock on my door broke the silence, Erwin's voice followed.
"Are you up?"
"Yes."
"Are you decent?" He joked. We moved on from what probably is the most awkward thing to ever happen to us both, and made it into our little private joke. And well, it made us grow closer. I mean, he did saw me naked… Anyways, despite feeling really under the weather, I can't help but laugh at that.
"Yeah, I am. Come on in."
I look like a total mess, but Erwin is the closest thing I have to a family so I couldn't care less.
"You look horrible." He said unceremoniously as he closed the door.
"Thanks." I scooted over so he could sit beside me on the bed. I wonder why he's here?
He turned to look at me, then he leaned in so close we were practically nose to nose! I racked my brain as I try to process what sort of social situation this is, and I could only come up with one answer.
I instinctively closed my eyes, is he really going to *gulp* kiss me?! My room was pretty quiet, aside from my heavy breathing and rapid heartbeat (which I'm sure Erwin can hear as he's so fucking close) and his almost silent snicker. Yeah, great Erwin just have a laugh at my expense. Then I felt it.
I opened my eyes – which I bet are as round as saucers right now – and saw Erwin's thick brows meet in worry. He's got a hand on my forehead, the other on my shoulder. He's got a really weird way to feel one's forehead, it seems.
"You feel hot, Andi. Do you think you can walk to the infirmary?" Now, my idiot brain decided to get back at him for putting me in an uncomfortable position.
"No. Carry me downstairs." I replied in my pitiful attempt to make him feel uncomfortable. Let me see that flustered face.
Too bad it backfired. He really knows how to wipe off the smug grin off my face. Erwin scooped me up bridal-style.
"Hey! Put me down! I was just kidding!" Now, I would have totally kicked and punched if I just wasn't coming down with a fever. So I barely struggled.
The asshole just gave me a smile, clearly enjoying my flustered face. I'll remember to kick his ass later. He obviously didn't listen to me despite my complaints. I stopped yelling at him when we got outside my door as the last thing I want is to attract the attention of the other soldiers.
But as luck would have it, we run in to almost everyone I'm close to.
Mike decided that the proper way to address the situation was to give us a wolf whistle. Many, like Nanaba, clapped and cheered saying things like "go Erwin!" You'd think these people are all in high school.
In my humiliation, I hid my face by leaning in to his chest. I decided that I should just pretend to be sleeping, that way I could play dumb if I get teased later.
In this position, I could clearly hear Erwin's heart beating. This is crazy. I admit, his heartbeat is a tad faster than normal, and I can't say that it's not affecting me. But I can't let this have any effect on me whatsoever. I just can't.
As I try to convince myself to stay calm, I heard the voice that I dreaded to hear.
Preceded by a maniacal laugh, Hange continued, "Erwin! Wrong way. Turn around to go to the dorms."
Erwin gave her an uncharacteristically-boyish laugh. He chose to say nothing (thank goodness) and continued on to the clinic. He might just be concerned about me, and he's not just teasing me huh? We soon arrived and even though he's carrying me, he managed to open the door.
"What's wrong?" The apathetic doctor asked.
"She's having a fever."
"Oh. Well, that seems simple enough. I don't see why you need to be dramatic and carry her all the way here. Come now, set her down here."
Looking up, I can't help but laugh at Erwin as he stares daggers at the asshole doctor.
"What?" He asked, feigning annoyance at my laughter.
"He's right, you know."
Erwin set me down, and the doctor went on to treat me. It was really just the basic – taking my temperature, handing me a wet towel and giving me some kind of tablet. I wonder what this is? Do they have paracetamol? I took it anyways, since well, doctor's orders. And I expect I might have to do a lot of explaining to do if I mention paracetamol and they have no idea what it is.
"That's it. Just drink plenty of water and get some sleep and you'll be good. Now go back to your rooms so actual patients who can't walk can use the bed. Go on."
Erwin's face matched mine as we stared at this doctor. Is he for real? I'll make sure to mention this to "uncle" Keith. I stood up before Erwin had the chance to scoop me up again. We walked towards the door so we could finally get out of this hellhole, but someone on the other side opened the door for us.
"Andi! And, uh Irwin?" Theo said, in a tone of surprise.
"Erwin." He said unamused.
"Yes. I know. Andi, are you alright?" He said, pushing Erwin aside and grabbing my hands. Erwin grunted in annoyance, but he still let Theo do what he wanted.
"Oh my, you feel hot. Doctor, shouldn't she be in bed? Come Andi!" Theo said practically dragging me back to the bed that the asshole doctor just told me to get off of a minute ago.
"No, I'm fine. Really. What about you, what are you doing here?" At this question, Theo's ears became red, and the color reached his cheeks. Stuttering, he answered, "uh, I just wanted to ask the doctor something. Uh, yes. That's it."
"We'll leave you to it then." Erwin answered, surprising us both, but what surprised us more was that he grabbed my hands from Theo's grip and pulled me out of the room with him.
"What was that all about?" I asked Erwin as best as I could, considering I can only breathe through my mouth right now.
"What? He said he wanted to speak with the doctor. We shouldn't listen in on their conversation."
"Hmm. Whatever. It's nice to know he's alright, though."
"He's alive because of you."
"What do you mean?"
"You pulled him out of a titan's mouth. It was really stupid of you."
"Say what now?" Damn. I seriously can't recall how I did those things and who are the people I saved.
Erwin sighed, and looked at me before he told me what he saw during the expedition.
"You were amazing. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were a veteran. And a really good one at that. Let's go back to your room. I'd rather we have this conversation in private."
On our walk back, I can't help but think "am I in trouble?" I can't help but feel like I've done something wrong. Erwin's tone just affected me that way.
We soon arrived at my room, and this part of the HQ just seem to be abandoned in its eerie quietness. There isn't any sound, save for our footsteps and a few birds chirping outside. It feels like it was only the two of us here.
Once we were in my room, we both sat on my bed, as that's the only place to sit. I should really get a desk and a chair.
"So?" I prompted. I made myself comfortable, wrapping a blanket around me as I wait for him to start.
"Well, you performed quite well. It's as if you've been killing titans your whole life. And you surprised me more by pulling or pushing every soldier you see from certain death, one of them being your friend Theodore."
"Wow. I, don't know what to say except that I don't exactly remember everything." Which is true. Like I said before, it was like I was on autopilot. I moved on instincts alone. But him saying that I seemed like someone who's been doing it for my whole life is seriously ridiculous.
My life before I got here was really boring. The most exciting thing that has ever happened was … well, nothing. My life was books and the internet, and movies. I wasn't really physically active, let alone a titan slayer.
"Can't say I doubt you. You were somehow different – like a whole other person. This makes me think more about your origin. Are you sure you remember everything about your world correctly?"
I was gonna answer yes right away, but his question planted a seed of doubt in my head: was I ever really in another world before this? What is real, anyway?
The next day, I still have doubts. Damn Erwin for making me think about things like this. But if you know me already, then you can tell that I'll just forget about it. I live in the present, no use dwelling on those thoughts, especially if they just confuse me.
Feeling better than yesterday, I decided to drop by uncle Keith's office. I wanted to complain about the doctor, and also to ask for more furniture. I had to walk a bit to get to his office, and like yesterday, the hall was deserted. I wonder where everybody is? My question was answered right away when I walked pass a window. They're all training downstairs. Figures. I should get back to training as well.
I finally reached his office. Knocking once, I heard his gruff voice telling me to come in.
"Oh, good it's you. Come here and help me sign these." He said straight away. Yay paper work. He was signing yet another set of letter of condolences. I started forging his signature, and after the first five letters I decided to stop reading the name of the deceased and just sign the damn thing. Last thing I want is to send tear-stained letters to their relatives.
"You did a great job, Andi. Thanks to you we got another vast amount of donation." He said in his monotonous voice. Despite the good news he just delivered, the death toll of our last expedition is still weighing him down.
"Donation? From whom?" I asked, not bothering to look away from the papers I'm signing.
"Lord Thomas Van Rumpade. It's only because of you that his son is alive."
"Well, that's good to know."
After some moments of silence, I finally asked him about what I came here for.
"Uncle Keith, don't we have any other doctors? The one here is so rude." He snorted before answering. Classy Keith.
"Who wouldn't act like that? The way you and Erwin went to the clinic is quite scandalous. I ought to reprimand you both. I didn't expect that from Erwin."
"What?! I was ill!"
"Sure you are. So ill you can't walk."
I was like a fish with my mouth agape. I can't believe this; the scary commander is teasing me? I just shrugged it off. This will blow off soon enough, but he isn't done yet.
"No more of that Andi, you understand? Especially while Lord Theodore is here."
At the mention of Theo's name, I felt my ears perk up. "What does he have to do with it?"
"Nothing." I was about to pester him for more details, but he went on, "is that all that brought you here?"
"No. I'd like to get a chair and a desk for my room, too. Is that possible?"
"Of course. With the huge donation you brought in, we could also buy you more clothes."
"Great. Oh, and one more thing. Do you remember telling me about that other man you found beyond the wall?"
"Yes. Grisha Yeager?"
"Yeah, him. I'd like to meet him."