I'm back and not dead :D!
Happy (late) New Year and I've come to the new year bearing news and chapters!
I'll tell you at the end of the chapter ;)
Annie felt suffocated. She's been in this tomb for over half an hour now and can feel herself no longer being able to bear it. She could hear the frantic thumps of her heart loudly in her ears and feel the tremble in her chest while she took short gasps in desperation to calm herself.
The machines outside are beeping in sync with Annie, a clear warning to those standing beside it that the procedure should be paused, and the subject be given time to recover. A few buttons were pressed and the soft hum, and the continuous beeping in the room started decreasing. The machine opened, and Annie appeared on the operation table as it moved out of the solitary room, red-faced, sweaty and out of breath.
"I'm sorry. I'll be okay to finish it next time, I promise"
It was after a moment of silence that Annie spoke, muttering quietly with disappointment laced to her words.
"you've said that for the past five attempts, Annie" the words only caused her to clench her jaw and look down in shame. "maybe we should stop for the day, give you time to collect yourself before we try again tomorrow"
"no, we have to finish this as soon as possible!"
"we're not getting anywhere today. Go home and get some rest, we'll continue the same time tomorrow, hopefully you'll be able to be bear the procedure till the end"
Annie's shoulders sank. Hanji was already taking whatever notes she could find while shutting off the machines. She couldn't believe that se was so weak. Getting scared of some little confined space, her titan's nape was a lot smaller than this box. Pathetic.
She sat on the table while Hanji shuffled some papers around and typed some words into the tablet in her hands.
"so, have I been useful at all during these experiments?" Annie asked, fiddling with her hands and smoothing the fabric of the medical scrubs she wore.
"actually, yes. Your panic attacks shows a perfect look into how your body reacts to what you consider danger. We can see how the defense system of your titan acts up during those moments, your DNA structure starts trembling, your body gets very warm very fast. It's simply waiting for you to bite your hand or cut your finger, so it can protect itself"
Annie nodded in understanding and clenched her hands, she'd been very close to biting them the first time, which made her very thankful that Hanji pulled her out before she could do it.
They'd been here since early morning, it's now almost 6pm. Hanji called Levi and asked him to drive Annie to the lab because she and Zeke had found something strange in the samples they've been taking from Annie. A molecular defect that kept giving different reactions each time Annie transformed.
Annie explained what she thought it was by saying that her body was different each time she became a titan. Whether it was size, durability or mass. Hanji believed that this was the key to the start of their research.
Hanji believed that if they could predict some of its more repeated reactions, they could make a counter. Meaning they could create a cure. She was told not to get her hopes up in the meantime, not until they had solid proof and a strong foundation to their hypothesis.
"don't worry, Annie. Zeke and I have got this. We'll figure it out" Hanji gave her a reassuring smile and a thumbs up before nodding at the door. "Levi is waiting outside, go and get some rest."
Annie nodded weakly in return before leaving the room to put on her jeans and hoodie and leaving the building to meet Levi.
…
"Levi this isn't our house" Annie deadpanned as she looked out the window to where they've stopped at.
"no shit sherlock"
"why are we here?" she raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.
"because you've promised your girlfriend a date and you're not delivering" he retorted, causing Annie's face to become bright red.
"she's not- she's not my girlfriend!" Annie stuttered.
"yes, if you keep this up, she won't be" he snorted and parked at the end of the road. "so, you'll be going to her house and telling her your date will be tomorrow's night"
"I'm not going to do that, Levi!"
"too late to back out now. Either you go or I'm honking till someone comes out and I tell them you're a pussy." He put his palm in the center of the wheel to prove he's not joking.
"ok fine! Just stop. Put your hand down." Annie threw her hands up, pushed the door open and jumped out. Stomping up the driveway with her hands shoved deep into her hoodie pocket, angrily muttering to herself while she tried to calm herself.
Standing in front of the door for a good two minutes before finally reaching her hand out to place her knuckles on the wood. She did knock twice but she barely heard them herself, much less the people inside. As she averted her eyes down to ignore Levi's that were burning a hole into her back, she noticed the doorbell by the side, sitting there quietly and mocking her cowardice.
She pushed the button before she could stop herself.
The little tune caused Annie's stomach to drop. This is it. She couldn't back out now.
The thought of tuning away and bolting was too tempting, screw Levi for making her do this. While Annie contemplated her escape, the door had already opened and took whatever confidence she had left with it.
"Oh, Annie!" Grey eyes widened, and the girl adjusted a pair of glasses with a shy smile. "what's up?"
"you wear glasses" Annie spoke as her eyes stayed fixed on the mentioned item.
"y-yeah, I need them to read a-and see and stuff" Mikasa replied awkwardly, wishing she could take them off and hide them away.
"I didn't know that" cursing at herself in her head for stalling and avoiding the reason she was here in the first place. "they look cute on you"
Porcelain cheeks lit up in pink and a small smile pulled at the corner of Mikasa's lips. "thank you"
"you're welcome" a moment of silence passed before Annie cleared her throat. Might as well get it over with while she had the chance. "are you busy tomorrow night?"
Mikasa confirmed that she was free, and Annie inhaled shakily. "do you want to go on that date with me tomorrow then?"
"of course! I was wondering you were going to ask" Mikasa replied with a big smile. "I was beginning to think you weren't interested anymore"
"No! I mean- no, I still am. I just didn't know how to bring it up" Annie rubbed the back of her neck.
"well, I'm glad.." Mikasa reached out and grasped the sides of Annie's hoodie and pulled it gently over her head, leaning in. "I've been waiting for you to say something..." she bumped her nose to Annie's with a smirk, nipping at Annie's bottom lip and placing a small kiss to it." wondering when you'd come up to me and tell me that you're taking me out...". She giggled at Annie's frozen state and took her time to pull the sides of the hood even further to steal a kiss, pulling back when she felt the lips that were pressed against hers start to move. What a tease, was the only thought the blonde had. "I can't wait"
Annie swallowed, Mikasa's eyes bore into hers, never letting them look away for even a second, demanding all her attention to be on her.
"I can't wait either"
"good." Their foreheads touched. Annie's hands finally moved to grasp Mikasa's waist gently and pull it against hers. They were probably attracting weird looks from whoever was passing along the street, and Annie knew Eren was glaring at her through the window. Levi was probably recording this to show Hanji later, so they'd tease her. But she didn't care, she wanted to stay like this for just a little longer.
"it's getting a little cold. Want to come inside?"
Blue eyes snapped open and it finally downed on her what Mikasa was wearing. Only a thin t-shirt and small shorts. If Annie was a pervert who looked at inappropriate areas, she'd see Mikasa's nipples popping against the fabric of her shirt.
"no, it's okay, I'll see you tomorrow"
"you sure?" Annie nodded. "well okay then. I'll see you tomorrow" they shared a goodbye kiss before reluctantly pulling away. Mikasa stepped back into the house and Annie turned away to walk back to the car. they smiled at each other when Annie was seated in the car before it started to move and drive away. Annie didn't even look back at Levi before she growled. "shut up."
…
Annie hadn't slept that night. She was nervous okay?! And all Hanji and Levi were doing was laugh at her and play the video on repeat for the rest of the evening. She didn't know what to do for the date, didn't know where to take Mikasa; as she was still not familiar with the area. Didn't know what to wear and if she should buy something or not.
She felt old. She had asked Hanji, what do kids do at dates these days? And next thing she knew, Hanji was wheezing on the floor and calling her a grandma.
So, she called Armin. At 12am. She kept the poor boy up for about 45 minutes before he promised to come by in the morning to plan the date with her. She would've sincerely thanked and gave him a hug if she wasn't so embarrassed. He was sweet and never laughed, even when Annie was panicking over nothing. She vowed to make it up to him somehow.
It was now 4pm and she'd sent a text to Mikasa to tell her to 'dress warm' and that she'd pick her up at seven.
She and Armin- well, mostly Armin- had set everything up and it was all ready by the time their date rolled by. Annie didn't have license, so she couldn't drive them to their destination and had to reluctantly ask Levi to be their chauffeur for the night because she didn't want to bother Armin any longer.
They'd set up a picnic atop a hill, Annie knew of this place from her days back at the 104th training corps and Armin lit up at the suggestion, he listed some of Mikasa's favorite diners and desserts and went with her to pick out whatever she needed. He also stopped them at a flower shop and picked out a beautiful bouquet, telling her that 'no date is perfect without flowers for the lady'.
Her and Mikasa were in the backseat as Levi drove, Annie's knee would bounce every now and then and Mikasa would reach out to hold it and give her a sweet smile, reminding her that "whatever the date is, I'll love it. Just because you're with me".
They left the car hand in hand, thanking Levi for the lift and receiving a "I'll be back in three hours, don't do anything I wouldn't do" in return before he drove off.
Mikasa gasped as Annie led her to the setup, it was beautiful, Annie admitted to herself. Armin was a great wingman and date planner.
A blanket was spread out with scented candles around it, over the fabric and outside. A basket was set to the side, but it was empty, everything had already been taken out and arranged for two, she saw a fresh trail of footsteps and knew that Armin had just left when he saw the car lights. She made a mental note to shoot him another thank you text.
She helped Mikasa sit down with a barely contained smile. She was truly beautiful. Even in casual wear, a simple sweater and jeans. "thank you".
Annie blushed. She didn't realize she had said that out loud. Oh well, it was true.
They ate in contempt silence. Neither needed a verbal conversation. They simply enjoyed each other's presence. Mikasa was leaning on Annie's shoulder and resting her head against soft strands of yellow, and Annie had her head tucked just below Mikasa's while they both held plates in their laps and cuddled.
When Annie pulled away to unwrap their dessert, Mikasa's heart fluttered. Annie had gotten her favorite Japanese dessert. She didn't know how Annie knew but didn't feel that it was necessary to ask. It was a sweet gesture and that's all Mikasa would care about now.
"thank you for an amazing date, Annie. It's the best I've ever been on so far" to be honest, Mikasa preferred quiet activities like this, she would have been fine with a movie and pizza, but Annie went the extra mile just to impress her. It was more effort than any of her past dates did for her.
"you're welcome" Annie answered, all her nervousness gone and replaced with giddiness. "I hope this won't be our last though"
"of course not, I'd love a second date. I'll be the one to plan it though"
"deal"
"but since we still have time, and the scenery is beautiful, how about a dance?" Mikasa asked with a smirk, enjoying how fast Annie's blush exploded on her face.
"w-what?! B-but there's no music around!"
"so?" Mikasa raised an eyebrow. "I can just play some from my phone if that's the only issue"
"I don't know how to dance" Annie weakly protested.
"it's okay, I'll show you"
"but..."
"Annie. Dance with me" she couldn't refuse that pout.
"fine."
Mikasa cheered, Annie thought it was adorable. She was pulled by the hand to the edge of the cliff, where a clear patch of land was. Mikasa chose a song that Annie didn't know, it had a nice tune and the lyrics were sung softly, then she stepped close and placed a hand on Annie's shoulder while the other held hers. Annie knew this pose so she placed her hand on Mikasa's waist.
They started swaying slowly, holding on to each other and enjoying the closeness. The song ended but they remained pressed against each other, simply wanting to be in the other's arms. "that wasn't so bad, was it?" Annie shivered at words whispered in her ear. "no, not at all" she smiled and pressed her face into Mikasa's shoulder.
"great, now let's please get away from this edge. It's unnerving and making me nervous"
"you're the one who wanted to dance here!"
"I did! And now that we're not dancing anymore, we don't have any reason to stay near it"
Annie laughed and let go of Mikasa.
"come on then"
Mikasa smiled and moved to follow Annie. Her foot stepped into a fragile part of the edge and her body tipped backwards. Her heart skipped a beat and she gasped. "Annie!"
Annie's hand grasped hers, but Mikasa's body was heavier and her momentum was not going to stop by a hand hold. The blonde soon followed Mikasa down.
A hand gripped to the edge, was the only thing stopping them from falling to their deaths. Annie was thankful suddenly for all the intense training she's been through. She didn't know if she'd be able to support both of their weighs without it. She looked down at the frightened girl below her. Mikasa was holding on to Annie's hand like it was the only thing that would keep her alive. And it is.
"Annie please don't let go" Mikasa cried.
"don't worry, Mikasa. I won't let anything happen to you"
"Annie please do something!"
"I will! Just give me a second!" Annie desperately tried to think of a plan to execute, she wasn't willing to die this way and wasn't willing to let Mikasa die this way either. A thought suddenly popped into her head. Looking down at the Mikasa. "don't panic okay?! I'll keep you safe!"
"Annie what do you mean?! Annie!"
Annie closed her eyes and bit her lip as hard as she could to draw blood. A bolt of lightening struck her and a huge arm covered her own, the one gripping the edge, she bent it and with all her might pushed herself and Mikasa upwards.
They fell into each other on the ground and Annie pulled her arm out of the steaming limb and breathed hard. They stayed on the ground to catch their breaths and to let the shock of a near death experience pass away.
A honk caught their attention, and Annie could see Levi glaring at her through the glass. well shit, she was not looking forward to explaining this later.
The ride to Mikasa's house was silent and Annie was dreading it. Mikasa hadn't spoken a word yet and it was only making her even more scared. She walked Mikasa back to her door, hoping to get a word alone with her before the end of the night.
"Mikasa I'm sorry, I didn't want to tell you this way, or this soon. I-"
"Annie, what are you?"
"I… I'm a titan"
So I've got a writing schedule now and I'm hoping to start going by it from now on, that means I'll try updating regularly for any future story i make.
I have a few stories planned for other fandoms so if you're interested in any of these, let me know:
1. Life is Strange
2. Supergirl
3. The 100
4. DC (harley x ivy)
5. OverWatch
Tell me what you think of the chapter and if you hate me for closing the story on a cliffhanger (haha get it? cliff hanger lol)
Thank you all for your patience and i hope i've redeemed myself with the chapter.
See you in other stories? Bye :)