DISCLAIMER: I do not own Attack on Titan

Okay, I don't have chapter 11 ready yet, so I may or may not update next week. Hopefully. My laziness tendencies are coming to bite me.

X

Breino has feelings.

He kept them well hidden. He didn't wear a mask or have a nice guy façade. He smiled genuinely when he could and was polite when possible. Manners were one of his mother's most enforced rules, something she'd always pleaded with him to cherish. Back in the Karanese District, manners got him nowhere. Those resentful stares, those disgusted glares, and those quiet remarks.

"Did ya hear?"

"Yeah, his mother…"

"And that damned father of his…"

People tended to avoid him. The only ones who didn't were his best friends today. That scrawny boy and the tan skinned princess. When he was left penniless with nowhere else to go but away, they bid him farewell with tears and smiles. He liked to know he had friends, even if they were only two.

Then, Fire Fairy works happened.

He felt a connection with Sosai. Tsukeru and he got along swell and Naowna loved his cooking. Middy was always asking to be picked up, seeing as he was the tallest of their group and by far the bulkiest. Tinker seemed to dislike his presence at first, but soon seemed resigned to it and sometimes complimenting on his working prowess. Nyll, however, he appreciated the most.

He told her his story first and didn't bat an eye. She merely stared as if to say 'get to the punch line' when the worse had already been said. After a minute of tense silence she broke away and gave him his orders for the day. He'd been shocked speechless. Just like that.

He was starting to like it here. It wasn't home, but it might as well have been.

"Breino, which way?"

He turned sharply to the left, "This way!"

He felt his face heat up slightly as he caught sight of his old friend, running alongside him. The streets weren't as heavily packed as they were that afternoon. The rush to the market was over and there was less populace running around. He still couldn't believe he actually met with her.

He smothered his blush.

Undeniably, he had feelings for the one and only Kisanna Ellsworth. She wore her black tunic, with a leather strap from her shoulder connecting to her belt. She wore short pants that went down to her knees, revealing smooth tanned legs. She had long skinny arms and wore black leather gloves. Her sandals clacked against the pavement with every turn the group made. He found himself mesmerized by her windblown hair, and the way her blue eyes would smile into his and she would say-

"Breino, are you drooling?"

He turned forward abruptly, "We're almost there."

Naowna muttered something from the rear but was shushed by Tsukeru. It was so obvious they caught on; Breino found his face permanently reddened. He only managed to tame it when they approached a long, flat building with a sign jostling in the wind.

"Huh." Naowna said. "The Zephyr Inn? Isn't it a little…run down?"

"It's for travelers looking for work." Kisanna explained warmly, "Many come here to help those in need. The stay is free as long as one does their fair share of work for the innkeeper."

Tsukeru raised an eyebrow, "You seem pretty well informed for someone new to this area."

Breino coughed, "She's here visiting her grandparents, friends. The Cherry Sun is in a few weeks."

The siblings jolted, looking wide eyed. "That soon?"

Kisanna's eyebrows scrunched in confusion, "Is something wrong?"

"Nyll does the finale every festival," Naowna had gone pale, "Oh no, what if…! Do you think she forgot…?"

Breino felt his stomach sink. Surely Captain wasn't that sick? His mind raced back to their outing. One minute he was excitedly chatting with Kisanna, relishing the sound of her voice after so long, the next Sosai was wailing at a completely floored Nyll. The red head was unresponsive the entire time.

"It's best we hurry." He said, rushing to the door, "The sooner we get Isaac, the better."

Inside, an assortment of smells and noises washed over the group. Mild chatter floated around the wide space. Tables with four chairs around it littered the room. A few people were drinking, some were quietly reading, some others were grouped around a board with flyers on it.

"What's that?" Naowna said, pointing over to the board.

"It's the call board." Kisanna explained as they approached the bar, "Anyone looking for work takes up jobs there. Isaac's father is a freelance doctor. He works only for the inns."

Tsukeru hummed, gazing around at the calmness of the inn. He turned to Breino, "Isn't it supposed to be livelier?"

"You're thinking of actual bars." The blacksmith said, "These people are as mature as human beings could get."

Kisanna quickly exchanged words with the plump bartender, returning to the group with a small paper. "Room 203." She read, "It's just down the hall."

"The sooner the better." Tsukeru echoed Breino's words. He glanced at the youngest Laud before the group hurried into the corridors. It wasn't long before they found the appointed door. However, Breino noticed how the siblings hesitated. Naowna had a strange look on her face, casting her gaze to Tsukeru who was eyeing the 203 as if it would explode.

Kisanna spoke up after observing the two for some time, "Is everything alright?"

"Is Isaac…" Naowna fumbled for the words, his face tinting red, "…nice?"

He blinked. Is that what they were worried about? Kisanna laughed (and Breino inwardly metlted at the angelic sound) and gave a soft knock on the hardwood door.

"Do not worry." She smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement, "He's very much kind."

The siblings still held their breath as footsteps approached the door. It squeaked open, revealing a small skinny boy. Breino was hit with a wave of nostalgia, seeing as the boy hadn't changed at all in the month and half he'd been away. Isaac's hair was still light brown, pulled back into a low pony tail. A pair of large oval glasses rested on the kid's freckled nose, being something the two boys shared in common. They're freckles.

He was dressed formerly, with a tucked in vest and trousers, the ends being mushed into his black leather boots. A necklace hung around his neck, the small red crystal glowing against his pale skin.

Isaac's caramel eyes lit up, "'Reino, Kisa! This is a surprise!"

Kisanna maintained her heavenly smile, bowing slightly, "It's only been a week, Isaac, but it's good to see you too."

The apprentice doctor grinned at her, turning to Breino. "It's been far too long."

The blacksmith smiled, extending a hug to the doctor that was happily returned. An awkward cough behind him reminded him of the situation. Before he could open his mouth, Isaac beat him to it, "Come in! Come in! Bring your friends too. They look pale."

Breino hesitated before turning to the siblings. They looked a tad shocked, but a little relieved. Tsukeru managed a weak smile, "He seems nice."

"There's no reason to fear him." He spoke truthfully, "Isaac has trouble killing the spiders in his bathroom."

"I heard that!"

He offered a sheepish shrug as the group ventured into the room. The place smelled refreshingly clean. Two cots sat in the far corner of the room, where a couch and a coffee table sat next to it. Across from that was the sink and counter top, where Isaac climbed up to sit. Kisanna sat in the armchair, sinking a bit into the cushion but otherwise remaining upright with crossed legs. The siblings sat on the couch simultaneously, mutely glancing around the room.

"So, friend," Isaac began as he bit into an apple. He tossed one to Breino who caught it effortlessly. "What have you been doing in the Shinganshina District?"

"I work for a fireworks store." He admitted, a tad uneasily. He's always been the blacksmith in their eyes (and technically, he was still doing his job) but it was…odd saying something so off career. Isaac halted, blinking rapidly at him before readjusting his glasses.

"…to each his own trade, I suppose." The boy murmured, "What about you Kisa? Here to visit our wayward blacksmith as well?"

"The Cherry Sun festival." The princess replied, "I'm staying with my grandparents for a few weeks as my parents sort out political issues."

Breino noticed Naowna getting antsy. She was subtly nudging Tsukeru, as if to get the boy to speak up. Tsukeru, however, was still examining the room.

"I'm traveling along my pop, as usual." Isaac explained, "We just stopped here for the festivities. Might as well do a bit of work on the side."

"Where is your dad?" Brieno asked, having noticed the boisterous fellow wasn't around, "Is he out?"

"Yeah. Mentioned a lady in labor down the road."

Naowna coughed, "Um, not that this reunion isn't needed or anything but-"

Tsukeru interrupted, "We have a sick friend."

Isaac's eyebrows shot up into his hairline, turning expectantly to the blacksmith. The way his eyes narrowed a bit clearly said elaborate. Breino puffed out a breath of air before nodding.

"The one I work for- Nyll Fiery, ever heard of her?- she's come down with something fierce. We were hoping you'd take a look at it."

Isaac didn't respond, placing his chin on his fist and staring intently at the floorboards. Kisanna spoke up, her voice soft, "She's a very nice girl, of what I've heard of her, considering she fainted before I could introduce myself."

Naowna winced whilst her little brother gave no other reaction. He stared intently at the young doctor and a heavy silenced engulfed the room for the longest of time. Breino shuffled his feet, distracting himself with Kisanna's hair to avoid the tension that seemed to building. He wasn't sure how long it was until Naowna stood up with a vicious look.

"If you're not going to help us," she seethed, "I'd rather waste my time searching elsewhere."

"Nao!" Tsukeru hissed, but the older Laud was already marching towards the door.

"Wait."

She paused, hand hovering over the door handle. Breino glanced at Isaac, watching as the doctor jumped from the counter. Slowly, Naowna turned her head, dark eyes flashing in warning.

"What?"

Isaac frowned, "You didn't give me enough time."

"I don't have time to waste. Are you or are you not going to help us?"

He hesitated then shook his head. Naowna gritted her teeth together before throwing the door open, "Then we're leaving. C'mon Tsu!"

Tsukeru rushed to door, stopping to call, "Wait, Naowna, don't leave just like that!"

There was no response. The boy slumped, turning hopelessly to the group. Breino himself gazed at his friends, feeling himself in a limbo between two opposing groups. Kisanna had ducked her head, staring at the ground distantly. Isaac was staring at Tsukeru, solemnness etched on his face.

"Please," the younger Laud breathed, "We only ask that you help."

"I'm not experienced, or certified for that manner." Isaac whispered, barely heard in the roaring silence, "There's no possible way I could help your friend."

"You could try."

Isaac deflated, looking much more older then he should be, "I told you, I can't-"

"Isaac." Breino stepped forward, finally finding her place. He set his hand on the boys shoulder, "Do what you think is right."

"…" The doctor lowered his head.

Kisanna stood and walked-almost gliding- over to the door. She offered Tsukeru a reassuring smile, "Let's return to the Fire Fairy works. I would still very much like to meet Miss Fiery."

Breno watched her lead the saddened boy away, the door closing behind them. Isaac sighed, pushing up his glasses, "You're smart, Breino, what would you have me do? Disobey the law?"

"Who said anything about the law finding out?"

Isaac blinked, completely thrown off, "I…never took you for being mischievous, Breino."

He smiled anyway, "It's not like before, Isaac. It's not a matter of life and death."

The boy nodded slowly, still uncertain. Memories flashed through Breino's head at the moment. Flashes of a younger Isaac approaching with drowning eyes, sobbing about a failed surgery and blubbering about it being his fault.

I'm never going through that again!

"…you're right." He sighed, "You're always right. My old man might throw a fit over me leaving without a word but…"

"It's the right thing." Breino repeated, more emotionally. He's become attached to Nyll as well over the past couple of weeks. He'd be just as upset as everyone else if something were to happen to her.

"Right thing." Isaac repeated, picking up an abandoned coat off a nearby chair and putting it on, "Why it always has to be against the law, I wonder?"

Breino snorted, opening the door and watching as the doctor stopped in the doorway. His brown eyes were cast downwards as if the one step would make the difference of a lifetime. Perhaps it would. Either way, Isaac stepped forward and breathed out.

"Who were those two anyway?" Isaac mused as they exited the corridor. The bar was a little less lively now that the day was wearing on. "Friends?"

Breino hesitated before nodding, "Yes. Friends of Captain's."

Isaac laughed, "Oh boy, if you're calling her by that, she's really something isn't she?"

The blacksmith opened the door of the inn, stopping short at the sight. Tsukeru, Naowna, and Kisanna and stood the side of the inn. Kisanna was having a pleasant conversation with Tsukeru while Naowna had an irritated twitch to her eyebrow.

"Can we leave already?" she growled.

"Yes." Isaac smiled disarmingly as he approached, ignoring their gawking stares, "Lets."

Breino found himself eased as Tsukeru gave a laugh, Naowna reluctantly apologizing for her behavior beforehand. Kisanna sent him a knowing look that he couldn't help feeling sheepish about. Isaac clapped his hands together.

"Where to?"

"To Fire Fairy works," Naowna responded, now much chipper.

It always seems, Breino mused as they set out, to end up there.

I just want to thank all my reviewers. Seriously. I read them all and was so touched. You're words help me write each chapter to it's fullest.

Question- What corps would you be in? (Trainee, Stationary, Scouting Legion, Police Brigade)

I'd probably be a trainee. But, like, I'd die from giving myself a concussion trying to learn the 3DMG.

Review.