The next chapter is up and ready to go! Please enjoy and review because I love reviews!
"You're tired," she whispered and he took in a deep breath.
"Tired…is an understatement," he admitted.
She scooted over, allowing him to lie beside her. He didn't protest, maneuvering so he could lay down. She rested in the crook of his arm inhaling his scent. His eyes lowered, sleep threatening to take over immediately. His hand combed through her hair slowly, as they both fell asleep.
One Year Later…
Greer sat in the blimp as it approached Marley. She adjusted her tanks and fixed the holster on her leg. Hange was at the wheel with one of her subordinates. She tried to settle her nerves. They had received Eren's final letter a few days ago. Today was the day he was making his move. He said they would see it. That when they did, to act accordingly. She watched the squad leave the blimp to assist. She wanted to go with them. But she had promised him she would stay on the blimp.
So, she would stay.
To say the battle with the Warhammer titan wasn't a spectacle would have been an understatement. As time passed, she watched Levi return to the blimp with Zeke in tow. She refrained from putting a bullet between his eyes. In the letter, Eren said they needed him. And she trusted Eren.
"Your glare is familiar to me. Greer Elliot, right?" Zeke asked and Greer stared at him.
"Don't talk to her," Levi said firmly and Zeke fell silent.
More of the squad were returning and Hange told her subordinate to speed it up and get them out of there. The door to the front of the blimp opened again and Eren walked through with Mikasa and Armin. Greer stood up when she saw him, but made no move to approach him. He looked different, his hair longer, facial hair studded his top lip and chin. His eyes seemed to widen upon seeing her and he walked towards her hastily.
"Easy," Hange said, but Greer ignored her and moved forward, connecting with the young man before her.
When they pulled away, she offered him a weak smile.
"Long time," she whispered and he nodded in acknowledgement.
Then the cuffs were on him and Levi kicked him down into a seat in the corner.
"Is that really necessary?" Greer asked and Hange nodded.
"He's lucky it's just the cuffs," she said and Greer frowned.
She didn't agree. But she didn't say anything.
"Your plan worked. Even though now the other nations will form a joint attack on Paradis. So, I'm still not sure what you planned to accomplish by doing this," Hange said seriously.
As they spoke, the commotion in the other room got louder.
"Are they really still celebrating?" Levi said, annoyed.
The doors opened then and Jean stood with two kids on their knees in front of him. Their eyes widened seeing Zeke healing on the floor next to Eren. Zeke looked surprised to see them as well.
"Gabi…Falco? Why are you here?" he asked.
"W-Why? Why are you here?" Falco asked Zeke shocked.
"Who are these kids?" Levi asked.
Jean looked pale.
"They killed Lobov and used his gear to get onboard. This one, shot Sasha. I…I don't think she's going to make it," he breathed and all eyes widened.
Mikasa and Armin ran off into the other room. Jean started yelling at Yelena for not being able to keep the Cart and Jaw titans at bay. Because of that, it caused Zeke to hurl more rocks than usual, throwing the timing off course. Jean began to blame Eren.
Greer listened them all argue, but she just stared at the door. She was suddenly filled with dread. Why was everything so quiet? As if the world decided to answer her, Connie opened the door slowly.
Silence.
Silence.
"Sasha…is dead," Connie choked out as tears spilled from his eyes and all eyes widened.
Silence.
Silence.
"Connie…did Sasha have any last words?" Eren asked.
"She said… 'meat.'"
Eren's eyes widened and a choked sound escaped his lips. Greer stood up quickly and all wide eyes fell on her.
"Get them off the blimp," she said and Hange shook her head.
"We can't afford to land at a time—"
"—I'm not saying land. Throw them off the blimp…now," she said and all eyes widened.
Silence.
"Greer—"
"—I'll do it," she said and walked over to the kids with purpose.
Levi was quick and grabbed her arm, but she shrugged him off roughly and her foot collided with Gabi's face, knocking her unconscious instantly.
"Please, stop!" Falco cried, but Greer didn't look at him.
"Greer, that's enough!" Levi snapped and went to grab her again, but she maneuvered so he missed.
"Fine, I'll compromise. Just the one that murdered Sasha. The boy can live," she said and grabbed Gabi by the hair dragging her limp body to the other room.
Falco began to cry and beg, but Greer tuned him out as she headed for the open door. Mikasa and Armin glanced up, seeing Greer pass them with the unconscious child in her grip. Greer didn't look down at Sasha as she passed.
"Greer, stop!" Levi yelled, but Greer ignored him and, as she was about to throw Gabi from the blimp, Levi slammed into her, knocking her away from the door.
Gabi slipped from her grasp. Greer recovered quickly and before she could even process a thought, her blades were drawn, surprising everyone in the room, including Levi.
"Do not interfere again," she hissed and Levi's eyes widened, but he made no move to draw his blades.
"Greer, put your blades away before you do something you'll regret," Levi said standing in front of Gabi.
Silence.
"She killed Sasha. She doesn't deserve mercy. She's lucky I knocked her out. I could have left her awake to feel her body come in contact with the pavement below," Greer said upset.
Her hands were shaking and her knuckles were white, clasped firm around her blades. Her eyes fell on Sasha momentarily and she cursed. She didn't want that to be her last image of the young woman.
"Greer—"
"—we were supposed to protect her! She was our responsibility and we failed AGAIN! Again, Levi! How many more times can we possibly fail?!" she yelled at him.
"How did they even get on this fucking thing?! Who left the door open?! Where are the consequences for murdering our kids?!" she ranted.
Silence.
Silence.
Everyone stared at her wide eyed.
Silence.
"Look outside, Greer. Look at the consequences, they're right there below us," Levi said softer now.
Silence.
"It's not good enough," she said through gritted teeth, shaking her head.
"It's n-not good enough," she choked out weakly.
Silence.
Mikasa flew passed Levi and ran right at Greer.
"Mikasa!" Armin gasped.
Greer dropped her blades as Mikasa slammed into her, hugging her tightly. And then Greer broke. They dropped to their knees, crying silently for their fallen friend. Levi walked over slowly and knelt down so his face was close to hers. He reached out and let his hand pat her head, before she took his hand in hers, squeezing it tightly.
A Few Hours Later…
The blimp landed at the port and everyone exited. No one had spoken since Sasha's death. As they were unpacking, she noticed Levi and Hange speaking quietly off to the side. She walked up to them and Hange turned to her.
"Greer, you're with me," she said and Greer's eyes widened.
She shook her head immediately.
"No, the plan was that I would go with Levi and the Beast titan," she reminded her.
Hange nodded.
"Change of plans," she said and Greer frowned.
"Why?" she snapped.
Silence.
Silence.
"Is it because of my reaction on the blimp? Sasha was just murdered. I didn't intend to draw my blades and I certainly wasn't a threat to my squad," she explained.
Levi finally looked at her.
"Eren's receptive to you. You'll be more useful within the walls helping Hange. I'll take Zeke and the other squadron," he said and Greer grit her teeth.
"You don't even really know them. How can I trust they will have your back if the Beast titan tries anything? And we both know he will," she growled lowly.
"I can handle him. Don't insult me," he said firmly and Greer shook her head.
"We should have killed him in Marley. Keeping him alive was a mistake," she whispered and Levi shook his head.
"He's needed alive right now. The second he isn't, I'll deal with him," he said and she believed that.
Silence.
Silence.
"I don't like this," she whispered.
Hange walked off to speak to the squad.
"Do you remember that conversation we had back in the titan village? About how we saw the war ending?" he asked and she nodded.
"No winners, only survivors," she whispered.
"And then peace," he added and she stared at him.
"I can see it now. I didn't before, when I said those words to you. But I do now. I see it clearly," he said and her eyes widened.
"Let's see this through and then we will go towards peace. We know where it is," he said and she smiled relieved and nodded.
"Okay," she said and he leaned his head against hers.
"I know you still see him as you did a year ago. Be cautious. That's not the same kid," he said quietly and she closed her eyes.
She didn't believe that. Not yet.
"Be safe. If it gets too risky, put him down," she motioned over to Zeke and Levi nodded.
Then they went their separate ways.
I hope everyone enjoyed it! Please let me know your thoughts by reviewing! The chapter is short, because I'm building up to the intense ending of AOT.