Chapter 8

It's been almost a week since the revelation about the Titans. Erwin was deeply concerned about it as it posed a great danger for their survival. One wrong move could set a chain of events that would lead to disaster. They had to everything in their power to avoid that. That meant finding and securing the Founding Titan. Though, it was easier said than done. Despite his contacts within the military police, his allies were unable to find anything. Right now, Erwin was going through the oldest documents in Survey Corp Regiment.

„Tch…Nothing. But I can that these are faked." -Levi said with a tired sigh. Erwin nodded and rubbed his temples.

„Where is Hange? Don't tell me she's still examining the Walls." -Erwin asked, earning a snort from Levi.

„What else would she do? One Colossal Titan wasn't enough for her." -Levi retorted."She needs to know how many of them are there. Let's just hope that she won't wake up one."

„Hange knows what she's doing." -Erwin said, though there was a bit of irritation in his voice.

„So, now what?" -Levi asked, putting documents down.

„We have to wait…" -Erwin said, and Levi shook his head.

„Like that's going to help us…" -Levi said and got up from a couch."Listen, I can go and do my own diggings. Going through these documents or waiting for your pals isn't helping. At least We won't be sitting ducks…"
„I'll allow it. If you find anything, report back." -Levi nodded and looked at Erwin."What is it?"

„What's with the smile?" -He asked. Erwin was smiling, something that was unusual. Especially in a situation like this.

„Oh, my bad…" -He said, still smiling."Despite our current predicament, I'm sort of happy."

„About what?" -Levi asked not understanding.

„My Father's theory…was proven correct." -Erwin explained."He was killed by the government for getting so close to the truth. And by his son foolishness…"

„I see…Well, don't let it get to your head." -Levi warned."We have an important task at hand."

„I know…" -Erwin replied, looking through the window.

After another day of training, Finn was already in his bed. He was trying his best to fall asleep, but he couldn't. Finn was thinking back to his conversation with Mina about Annie. He really wanted to talk with her, but she's been avoiding him. Even during the training, when they had to work together, she would barely speak to him. He didn't want to forcefully talk with her. This could only make things worse.

„Can't fell asleep?" -He heard Eren's voice from below. Finn let out a heavy sigh."Let me guess…It's about Annie?"

„No…" -He said quietly.

„Come on, it's pretty obvious by now." -Eren said tiredly."It's alright, man. You can talk to me."

„Alright, alright…" -Finn said and got down from his bed. He saw sitting on his own bed."I don't know anymore…I just want to talk with her. But she's avoiding me."

„Did you do something?" -Eren asked.

„No, I don't think so." -Finn said unsure."It all started when I threw Annie's birthday party."

„Eh?! You did?" -Eren asked surprised."When?"

„On the night of March 21th. Right before midnight." -Finn explained.

„So, March 22th, huh?" -Eren mused."I had no idea…"

„Yeah, I asked Reiner if he knew when is her birthday." -He said, and Eren nodded."It wasn't obviously big or anything. Just us, some cake, and a gift."

„So what happened?" -Eren asked, tilting his head slightly.

„She just…ran off." -Finn said flatly."Just like that…"

„Oh…" -Was all Eren said. He had no idea how to respond to that.

„Well, let's change the subject." -Finn said finally."How are things with Mikasa?"

„Wha? What do you mean?" -Eren asked, blushing slightly." it's normal…"

„Sure…But you've been spending more time with her recently." -Finn stated, making Eren look away."You like her, right?"

„We're family…" -Eren defended himself.

„I heard that one before." -Finn said tiredly."Listen, it's alright. You can focus your entire life on killing Titans. There's more to life than that."

„I don't know if I can focus on anything else." -Eren admitted bitterly."How can I think about anything like that when We're constantly in danger?"

„Then let that drive you." -Finn said, confusing his friends."Don't just kill Titans because you want revenge. Do it, so the world can be safer for you and Mikasa."

„Gah, will you just drop it?" -Eren asked annoyed.'A safe world for me and Mikasa..?'

„You started it." -Finn shrugged.

„Whatever, you should try and talk to her. Even if you have to force it." -Eren advised him."Otherwise, you'll stay in a limbo."

„I don't know…I'd have to find a way for her not to leave." -Finn said, and Eren closed his eyes.

„I think I have an idea…" -Eren said with a big grin.

„Could you enclose me with that idea?" -Finn asked, earning a smirk from Eren.

„Nope! It's better if you don't know." -Eren said, and Finn had a strange feeling of deja vu.

'This is gonna end poorly for me, right?' -He wondered with a sigh."If it's gonna make things even worse, then I'm beating your ass…"

„It will! Don't worry!" -Eren promised with a weak laugh.

Finn moved another box full of spare blades. Today, it was his duty to clean the storage unit. He really wished somebody would help him out, but today was not the day. With a heavy sigh, he lifted another box and move it up. Then, he heard footsteps. Turning around, Finn found himself surprised to see Annie of all people.

„Huh, Annie?" -Finn said surprised. Annie seemed to be surprised as well.

„Why are you here?" -She asked, trying to hide her discomfort. Annie was hoping on not seeing him too much these days.

„Well, I'm on cleaning duty today." -He explained, making Annie raises her eyebrow.

„What? Yeager told that I was on cleaning duty." -Annie said, and Finn face palmed himself.

'So that was your master-plan.' -Finn thought with a groan.'Guess what…She's just gonna leave!'

As if his thoughts were heard, the doors were suddenly closed, trapping the two. Annie quickly turned around and grabbed the doors handle. No matter how much she pushed, she couldn't open them.

On the outside, both Eren and Mina high-fived each other and quickly left the storage unit.

„What the fuck?! Open up!" -She hit the doors with her fist.

'Really? That's the plan? To lock us up in the storage unit?' -Finn thought, watching as Annie tried her hardest to rip the doors apart.'Maybe I can use that actually?'

„Great…Just what I needed." -Annie let out a sigh of defeat.'Dammit…I can't get out.'

„Since you're here, how about you help me out?" -Finn asked, and Annie turned to face him.

She saw that there were many boxes left and that Finn was nowhere near finished. Not knowing what else she could do at this point, she nodded. After about 20 minutes of hard work, they're done. They sat down, opposite each other. While keeping her eyes on the floor, Finn was looking at her sadly.

'Don't look at me like that…' -Annie thought bitterly."Will you quit staring at me like that?"

„Why won't you talk with me?" -Finn asked calmly.

„…" -Annie ignored the question.

„Did I do something wrong?" -He asked a different question."If that's the case, then please, tell me…"

„You didn't do anything wrong." -She said tiredly."I just don't deserve it…"

„Because you're a 'bad person?" -He asked, and Annie nodded."Do you remember what I told you?"

'How could I?' -She thought with a sigh."That you don't care? Oh, I remember…It doesn't change anything. You'd still hate me…"

„Then…Why not just say it?" -He asked with a shrug."If you're so keen on avoiding me and not wanting me to bother you anymore, then say what you did. If I'll hate you, then I'll never cross your path ever again."

„…" -Annie looked sadly after hearing his words.

„I don't want things to be like this, Annie." -He admitted dejectedly."I want to go back to how things were before…"

„Why do you bother with someone like me?" -She asked bitterly."You're popular and you have a ton of friends. People who are far more interesting than me…"

„So what if I am popular? I don't care about it as much as you may think." -He said with a snort."I'm hanging out with you because I want to. Because I care…" -Hearing that made Annie blush a little.

'Dammit…Stop making me feel this way…' -She cursed in her thoughts.

„I don't care what you did." -Finn got up and walked up to her. He kneeled in front of her with a blush on his face.' It's now or never…I might as well be honest with myself…' -He said in his thoughts."I do care, Annie. I'm on your side, so please…don't push me away!"

Annie stared at him in utter disbelief. What was with this guy? Why would say such things to her? And why her heart was pounding so fast? She felt sad, scared, and happy at the same time. Annie couldn't understand her own feelings. All her senses were screaming at her to stop, but her heart was telling her to go for it. Never in her life did she feel so conflicted.

Suddenly, she felt his hand on her cheek. For someone who was a fighter, his hand felt soft and warm. Her lips trembled as his face drew closer. Her entire face turned red as his face was just an inch away.

„Wait…" -She said weakly.' This…isn't happening…right?'

Seeing Annie's expression, Finn stopped and look her straight in the eyes. He wasn't sure what he was doing himself. Finn was practically pushing himself onto her. This wasn't right, but he never was so close to her. Knowing that kissing her on the lips would probably end up badly, he opted for a different approach. Instead of her lips, Finn gently kissed her forehead. Her eye widened in shock at what just happened. As he took his lips away, Finn noticed the shocked expression across Annie's face.

„Sorry for that…" -He said with a massive blush. Looking down, he said."If you still don't want me to be near you, I'll understand. I just wanted to tell you how I feel about the situation…"

As Finn was getting up, he felt Annie grabbing his sleeve. He looked at her, but she was looking down.

„I'm sorry…" -She said dejectedly."I'm sorry for running off back then. I'm sorry that I can't be just normal. I wish things were different…"

„It's alright…" -He said kindly. Finn gently wrapped his arm around Annie's body."It's alright, Annie."

Being hugged by him made her calm down a little. She burrowed her face into his shoulder, trying not to cry. She felt so exhausted, hiding the truth from him. But this was one thing she couldn't reveal to him. She was glad that he said that he didn't care, but it'd still haunt her. She knew that as soon as the Warriors were done in here, she would have to leave him. It was painful and there was nothing she could do. But, perhaps, for a little bit, she could allow herself to feel some sort of happiness? She was scared, but she wanted to try.

„I'm sorry…" -She repeated, her voice muffled.

„It's okay…I'm just glad that you want to talk with me again." He admitted with a warm smile."Does that mean We can still spend time together?"

„Well, We can…do more if you want…" -She said shyly, making Finn blush.

„Oh, I didn't expect you to say that." -He said, chuckling.

„I won't say anything like that if you keep this up." -She deadpanned.

„Sorry…" -He apologized with a sheepish smile. Before they knew it, their lips were inches away."Annie…"

„…I don't know how to kiss." -She admitted shyly.

„Same…" -He said, looking into her eyes."You have pretty eyes, you know?"

„Compliments will get you nowhere." -She deadpanned, but blushed nevertheless. She moved slightly forward, closing her eyes. Finn did the same and their lips meet. Though it was a short kiss, they both enjoyed."This wasn't…so bad."

„Yeah…" -He agreed with a smile.'I can't believe this is happening.'

'I actually kissed him…How did I do it?' -She thought, gazing into his eyes.

They kissed again, but this time it lasted longer. After the kiss, they embraced each other.

„So, does this mean that We're a couple?" -Finn asked, making Annie blush again.

„I guess that's how it works…" -She replied shyly.'I can't believe I'm actually doing this. I'm sorry, Dad…'

[/Hey…Do you think they're kissing, Eren?/]

[/What? I don't know…/]

[/Aw! I wish We could see it./]

[/The fact that We're eavesdropping is creepy enough./]

„Get up." -She ordered.

„Oh, alright…" -He said, and they both got up. Annie pointed him to stand next to her. She then pointed at the doors."Wait, you wanna do that?"

„Yeah…I don't care if We get in trouble." -She said seriously. Annie could hear that Mina and Eren were still chatting outside. While the outcome of them being locked ended up great, she hated the fact that Mina and Eren came up with it.

'Not like I don't understand…At least they have could give us some privacy.' -Finn thought with the agreement."On 3?" -She nodded."1…2…3!" -They both launched their most powerful kicks at the doors.

Due to their luck, Eren and Mina were not blasted along with the doors. They completely froze when Annie and Finn came out. Though Finn seemed only annoyed, Annie on the other hand was pissed.

„This was her/his idea!" -They both said in unison. Annie didn't seem to care, though.

„I don't give a shit…" -Annie said, cracking her knuckles.

„Try not to kill them, Annie." -Finn said with a smile.

„I make no promises…" -She deadpanned."But I'll give 5 second head-start."

As soon as they heard it, Eren and Mina booked it out. Finn chuckled, seeing how Annie began to chase them. He felt happy, but also worried. Just like with his friends, he couldn't bring her into his world. It was too dangerous for them. He just hopes that they would secure the Founder before Marley could.

Annie was lying in her bed, contemplating about today. She didn't expect it to end like this. She was trying her best to avoid Finn, but she ended up becoming his girlfriend. She didn't even know what being a girlfriend meant. She heard some girls talking about their relationships, but it was still unexplored territory for her. She was happy, but also knew that this wouldn't last. As soon as they get their hands on the Founding Titan, they will have to go back home.

This would break his heart, she knows that. But at the same time, Annie felt drawn to him. So did he, of course. Being a Titan shifter means she had a short life span. Maybe that was the reason she allowed herself to have feelings toward him? She didn't want to think that way, though. He was wonderful to her and really made her feel happy. Annie wished she could truly return those feelings.

'I just hope that won't be able to get back home anytime soon…' -She thought, but shook her head immediately.'No, I made a promise to come back…But, I don't want to leave yet. Fuck…'

Remembering something, Annie got up and open her bedroom drawer. She saw the hairpin that Finn bought her. Picking it up, she examined it closely. She was glad that she didn't get rid of it.

'It's cute, I guess…' -She thought. Deciding on trying it, she pulls out a pocket mirror. After putting the hairpin on, she looked at herself in the mirror. She frowned.'I look silly with this on. I can't wear it in public…'

Perhaps she would wear it if she and Finn were alone. But that was a big IF. Regardless, she was thinking about what's gonna happen tomorrow. Their meeting may be awkward at first, but she was sure that Finn would come up with some idea to spend time together. She was actually looking forward to it. Looking through the window, Annie smiled.

After two years of hard training, the night of graduation came. It was a calm, starless night yet everyone was buzzing with emotion. Most of the Cadets were happy that the training was finally over.

Annie wasn't so happy, though. It all ended too soon for her. Despite that, the last two years the happiest she's ever been. While her relationship with Finn was great, they didn't make any real big steps. It was mostly due to lack of time, as well as Annie's request. She also didn't want people to know about them. Especially Reiner and Bertholdt.

Finn didn't really mind. He knew that Annie cared about him and that was more than enough for him. It sometimes made Annie feel awful for deceiving him. But he would never understand. She didn't want him to hate her. If that were to happen, she would never be able to move on.

„Do you have hearts?!" -Shadis demanded.

„YES, SIR!"

„As of now, you three options before you; chose wisely!" -He informed."The Garrison Regiment; whose job is to reinforce the walls. Survey Corp; whose job is to retake the lands that were once ours. And finally, the MP; who's job is to maintain law and order!" -Shadis paused and looked at the ten cadets in front of him."Only the Top 10 have the privilege of joining the MP! Take a good look!"

10. Sasha Blouse

9. Connie Springer

8. Marco Bott

7. Jean Kirstein

6. Eren Yeager

5. Bertholdt Hoover

4. Reiner Braun

3. Annie Leonhardt

2. Finn Broed

1. Mikasa Ackermann

After the ceremony, all Cadets went to the barracks to celebrate. Everyone was cheering and raising drinks. Annie and Finn were sitting quietly next to each other while enjoying their drinks. Though, nobody saw that they were holding hands below the table. It was risky, but they didn't really care about it right now.

She was happy that he was joining MP as well. That way, they would spend more time together. But deep down, she knew that Finn was worried about his friend, Eren Yeager. From what she saw, he was trying to convince him to join the MP. But Yeager was too fixed on joining the Survey Corps. She told him to drop, and reluctantly, he agreed.

„You still want to join the Survey Corps?" -Thomas asked, shocked and confused."You're in the top 10! Why would waste that chance?!"

„That was always my goal. I don't want an easy life." -Eren explained."Not with all the work I've put in. I trained to kill Titans…"

„Are you insane?!" -Thomas exclaimed. Suddenly, everyone's turned their gaze towards them."How many people have died?! We're talking about a fifth of the population! If that doesn't scare you, then I don't know what will." -He paused, letting that sink in."Face it, We can't beat them."

„So what? We're just let it go?!" -Eren demanded."Things have changed. Maybe not much, but enough. They're not a mystery they were five years ago. There's still a long way to go, but We made a progress. Every battle We lost taught us a lesson; giving us some kind of hope!" -Thomas looked away."You're saying that all the losses and death should be meaningless?! Not on my life! Our future lies outside of the walls! I'm gonna take back what was ours! We're not done!"

Eren didn't even realize that everyone was staring at him. Feeling a little bit overwhelmed, Eren left the cafeteria. Mikasa and Armin were quick to follow him.

„That's Eren for you." -Finn said, chuckling.

„Yeah, but he knows how to give a speech." -Annie said, and Finn nodded."Go…Seems like your friend needs you." -Finn looked at her, and she gave him a nod.

„I'll back soon." -He promised and left to see where Eren, Mikasa, and Armin went.

'Shit…' -Annie thought, as she watched her boyfriend leave.'Fucking Reiner and his stupid plans. Does he really think that breaking the wall again will draw out the Founder? Does he even know that people will die? Even the friends he made along the way.' -She really worried about Finn. He was good, but that wasn't enough to fight with Titans. There was a good chance that he'd die. Something that she was willing to be responsible for.'I gotta think of something…I can't lose him.'