Chapter 6
I'm Coming Home
After reading the paragraph, Krista held the page up for Ymir, who was following along. The brunette's chin rested upon Krista's shoulder and slender arms wrapped around her small waist. Ymir straightened from the tree that she was rested on as Krista read her the story. She pulled the small blond who sat between her legs closer as she tried to make sense of the scribbled writing that her tiny tutor pointed at.
It took a lot to admit to Krista that she could not read. Well, she could. She was fluent in both Eldian and Marleyan. Even some southern languages thanks to her upbringing in the church. However, even though the language inside the walls was spoken the same, the writing was a tad off for her. This was causing some difficulties in classroom training which her love didn't take long to realize. Krista new Ymir was very bright. Sometimes rivaling Armin in strategy talk that seemed foreign to even the other high-ranking cadets. So, her suspicion grew ever more when Ymir began to fall behind during a lecture that required them each to read a handwritten transcript that went over the pros and cons of certain ODM techniques.
When Krista had asked about the issue, Ymir naturally played it off as being lazy and that Krista should worry about herself. The blonde knew better. Something about this assignment and even group discussions caused the brunette to get flustered and shy away from the topic. Krista had rolled her eyes that day knowing how Ymir played things off whenever she was embarrassed or ashamed about her own characteristics.
"You can't read, can you?" Krista had mumbled one night as they laid in Ymir's bunk, half naked and flustered from previous activities. Ymir's fingers that had been stroking Krista's spine had stopped, confirming the answer.
"I can teach you. You're so smart Ymir. I know you can get it in no time." Krista snuggled close to her, rubbing smooth circles upon tanned flesh hoping she would not get to much backlash from her discovery. To her surprise, she felt Ymir nod in her hair.
"Okay." The brunette whispered continuing to stroke her partner's back. Krista smiled, closing her eyes. She knew from the sound of her racing heart that it took a lot for Ymir to simply mutter that word and admit such a secret to her, even though she tried to nonchalantly play it off. So, for the sake of her love, Krista did not press and left it at that.
The last few weeks, the two girls could be found by an oak tree far off from the training grounds during free time. Krista, a book in hand and Ymir following along. They had already gone through their transcripts and assignment, Krista opting to read more out loud for her then actually teaching due to their limited time to submit their work. Now, they indulged in some of Krista's novels that she had brought along from the farm.
Ymir read out loud only slightly struggling at the words but, finished non the less. Krista turned in Ymir's embrace, a proud smile on her face.
"Ymir! You're amazing! You read better then Conny!" She giggled. Ymir blushed and gave her a raised eyebrow.
"I'm not sure that is a compliment love." Her eyes widened when she felt Krista's lips on hers. When the smaller pulled away, Ymir had a dumbfounded expression.
"I'm so proud of you! You learned how to read in only a month!" Krista could barely contain her excitement.
"Well, I had a great teacher." Ymir began to trail small kisses down porcelain skin. Truth was that the letters began to look and sound very similar to what she had known when Krista began to read to her. Though seeing Krista so happy and proud of her made Ymir almost happy with herself. Plus, the rewards she got afterwards was so worth it. And it looked like she might be getting such a reward now as Krista arched her neck for her, releasing soft mewls as Ymir worked her magic.
As Ymir advanced, intentions to reach underneath Krista's blouse to claim her treasure, a small sniffle and surprised "sorry!" caused both girls to quickly pull away.
"The fuck do you want potato girl!" Ymir growled. It came out harsher than she wanted but, she did not like being caught off guard, especially when it involved her alone time with Krista.
"Ymir!" Krista whispered angrily as she straightened her blouse, standing. Ymir blinked at her confused before noticing that Sasha was crying, well trying to hold back tears.
"I'm … I'm sorry." Sasha quickly passed the two and made her way.
"Sasha! Wait! What's wrong?" Krista, being who she was, quickly ran after her upset comrade, leaving Ymir alone with the rather large book. She huffed in annoyance at being left high and dry and flipped through a few pages. To annoyed to try to read on her own, she stood and went after the two who had already disappeared. Hopefully they were headed back to the barracks.
She noticed the two girls' talking by the well. Sasha seemed to be doing a lot better, smiling, and retrieving her own water. Ymir decided not to interrupt being that Krista was probably unhappy with how she spoke to the forest kid. She stopped suddenly, overhearing two female cadets.
"I didn't mean to make her cry." One spoke.
"Not your fault. We can't understand her accent. She talks like some feral who never interacted with humans before." The second muttered.
"Ya well, she kept asking for food and it was just so damn annoying!" The first defended. Ymir rolled her eyes, stepping out from the shadows.
"You know what's damn annoying? People who don't mind their own fucking business." She towered over the two girls. They looked shocked and almost terrified. She didn't know them very well but, it sure as hell looked like they knew her or of her.
"I, we." One muttered.
"Save it and fuck off! I hear you talk about her like that again I'll shove my foot up your ass!" She pushed passed them making her way towards Sasha and Krista leaving the two other cadets terrified. Now, she was in a mood as she walked up to the red head retrieving another bucket of water from the well.
"You're really starting to tick me off." Ymir spoke. Sasha froze at her icy words, looking at the tall brunette hesitantly.
"What?" The red head asked slightly confused. Krista gave her a sideways glance uncertain as to which direction her tall girlfriend was going towards. Ymir looked at her, then back at Sasha as she placed a lazy hand on her hip.
"The stupid way you talk politely to everyone." Ymir simply stated. Sasha looked away, a shy, nervous smile across her face. Krista remained silent.
"Why don't you talk to other cadets like normal?" Ymir asked. Krista glanced from the brunette to the bashful red head who scratched at her cheek.
"Um… well, you see…" Sasha began. Ymir thought back to those two dim witted cadets. A smug expression appeared on her face.
"Wait. Let me guess. You're embarrassed by the way people sound from your village." Ymir leaned in taking in the younger's expression that proved she was right. Krista gave her a warning stare that Ymir chose to ignore and except the backlash after.
"Bull's eye? I'm surprised and idiot like you cares so much. You can't do anything but hunt, and you're afraid of people, to top it off." Ymir new she was hitting a nerve. Sasha's eyes began to glaze over at her words. Good. She needed to learn. She did not want to admit it but, she was fond of the kid.
"I bet you don't have a single good reason for aiming to be a soldier. I bet your parents probably." She crossed her arms over her chest when Krista suddenly interrupted her.
"Stop it, Ymir! You're being." Krista was silenced when the brunette nudged her to be quiet.
"Sasha! You gonna care what other people think and be someone you're not your whole life? What a crock of shit! You're fine as it is, so talk in your own words for crying out loud!" Ymir scolded. Sasha who had been quiet throughout the lecture smiled shyly at the taller girl.
"Th- thank you…" She forced out, bowing her head slightly. "… very much." Sasha seemed grateful for the advice. Ymir raised an eyebrow.
"What?" She scoffed getting into the red head's face. Sasha scratched the back of her head bashfully looking away.
"I'm sorry… I'm not yet…" She let her native accent out, just a little before Krista shoved her tiny body into Ymir's back.
"Cut it out! There's nothing wrong with the way she talks!" Her voice strained as she shoved the older girl's body over. With Ymir out of the way, Krista turned towards Sasha.
"Sasha is who Sasha wants to be. Her words will always be her own. And I happen to like her!" Krista defended. Ymir rolled her eyes at Krista's words rubbing that back her neck lazily and standing beside the red head.
"Hmph! Have it your way. Still, even if she changed the way she talks, it won't change the fact that she's annoying." Ymir placed a mocking hand on her hip. Krista quickly reached out for her girlfriend's sleeve.
"You know, not everyone is as insensitive as you!" Krista tugged. Ymir felt her face flush. The words stinging a little.
"Excuse me!? You little…" Ymir gave her a ridiculous look. She pinched Krista's cheeks much to the blonde's protest. Sasha watched the two interact and could not help but laugh at their banter. "What the hell are you laughing at!?" Ymir growled.
"N-nothing! I'm sorry!" The red head squeaked. She closed her eyes as Ymir reached out for her afraid of some impact from the scary brunette. Instead, an arm wrapped around her shoulders. She opened her eyes to see Ymir staring back at her. Even Krista seemed slightly surprised by her actions.
"Listen kid, don't worry about what those bitches say. I'm sure they've never found themselves worried about when their next meal will be. Fucking ingrates." Ymir reassured. Sasha blushed at the proximity.
"I'm sorry for walking in on you two. I didn't know you guys were." She felt the arm tightened.
"It's fine, just don't do it again. I'm moody when I'm horny." Ymir warned.
"Ymir!" Krista flushed. So did Sasha.
"Oh um…" Sasha muttered as Ymir released her.
"Sorry sweetie." Ymir kissed Krista on the mouth, making sure Sasha knew for certain that the tiny blonde belonged to her.
"Theodora, are you okay to lock up?" Pieck's father grabbed his hat. Ymir took a moment to realize he was talking to her.
"Oh. Ya, sure thing." The brunette responded. He simply nodded and left without a word.
"Hell, old man, at least try to smile." She mumbled to herself as she collected a few cups and plates that were sitting around. Suddenly, the room began to spin. The plates and cups she had been carrying crashed to the floor as she gripped the countertop for support.
"Shit." She mumbled reaching down to clean the broken shards of ceramic that now littered the floor. She began picking up the mess she had caused before a sharp pain attacked the front of her skull. She flinched as a quick vision flickered behind her eyes.
Gabi? Falco? She was suddenly looking down at the young children who seemed to be in some type of battlefield. Absolute chaos was heard around them.
"Galliard!" Gabi's voice shouted inside of Ymir's head.
Ymir gasped, falling back onto the floor. It took her a moment to realize that she was still gripping on to the sharp piece of ceramic that she was in the process of picking up. She quickly dropped it, turning a shaky palm upwards as blood drizzled from her sliced flesh. She calmed her breathing before standing and wrapping her wound. Ever since she saw Poco that day, it was like a weird connection had been established between them. She could feel and almost see his thoughts and actions once he assumed titan form.
She tried not to think much of it. She was tired of trying to understand what the hell was going on with her. So, she cleaned the mess of blood and broken dishes and went on with her day.
The next morning, Ymir made her way to the market, trying her best to help as much as possible given Pieck's old man's fragile mental state. She promised her friend that she would watch his drinking and so far, had been successful in hiding bottle after bottle.
The streets were buzzing with commotion. The recent Marleyan victory seemed to be the talk of the town as she squeezed her way through crowded pedestrians. She gathered the few items that were urgent and hurried her way back, not wanting to be here any longer then needed.
In her quick haste, she accidently bumped into a young man, sending them both to the ground. The newspaper he was holding fluttered gently beside him.
"Oh. I'm so sorry!" He spoke, voice gentle as he began helping her put spilled items back into her bag.
"It's fine. I was not paying attention. My fault." She did not want to conversate. When they both reached for the same item, she was finally forced to look at him. She felt her heart drop. She knew him. No, that was not possible. Although, he looked at her with the same intensity that suddenly made her panic.
"T-thank you. I must get going. Sorry again." She hurried past him.
"W-wait! Are you?" He began. He glanced at the paper in his hand, a faint glimpse of the Poco's jaw titan on the cover. He shook his head. "Never mind."
"Theodora." She forced a smile. She did not know why she told him that. He paused.
"I'm sorry. You looked just like someone I once knew. My apologies again." He tipped his hat and made his way down the street. She watched him for a second before reaching out to him.
"Wait! Um, could I possibly borrow that paper? If you are done with it that is?" She asked. He glanced at her, studying her face once more.
"Uh, ya, sure." He handed her the parchment. She smiled politely before taking it, fingertips accidently brushing his sending a shock down her spine.
I just don't want these charred bones I saw to be disappointed in me.
I… I know what I have to do now.
"Miss, are you alright?" The young man's voice brought her out of her thoughts. She shook her head.
"Yes. Thank you. Have a nice day." She left him confused at her actions, not wanting to think too much about the voice that had just spoke to her in her head. It was awfully like the man whom she had just shared a very awkward conversation with. Did she know him? For some reason, her curiosity did not get the better of her. Sure, any clue to retrieve her full memory was fully welcomed, but something about associating deeply with any marleyan citizen just seemed like a bad idea to her.
She opened the paper, hoping to distract herself from her own thoughts. Instead, she froze at the sentence displayed across the page. This was not a marlyean newspaper.
"Human ingenuity surpasses and shatters Marley's armor at last."
"Wait, this was written from another nation." She frowned at the parchment. Yelling could be heard from the distance. She peeked up to see a young boy with a dark complexion being chased by two soldiers.
"Get back here you little bastard! Selling these papers on these streets is completely illegal!" One yelled as the other tackled him to the ground.
"How so! People need to know! The titan power is coming to an end I tell you! An end! Gah!" A swift kick to the face silenced the boy's rant. Ymir quickly disposed her copy of the newspaper that she had received into the nearest barrel, not wanting to be involved whatsoever and made her way home hoping Pieck and Reiner were alright.
A few days later, Pieck's father had already left before she woke. A small note on the counter waited for her.
Theodora, Pieck is coming home.
I will be meeting her at the train station this morning.
Please retrieve some items for dinner. I will be making Pieck's favorite.
Ymir Picked up the letter, noticing an empty bottled of whiskey next to it. She shook her head and discarded both. She placed her hair, now little past her shoulder blades, into the simple half do Pieck had made her accustomed to before getting dressed in simple slacks and a collared button up. She tucked her shirt in and made her way into town.
She would not greet Pieck at the station, not wanting to make the same mistake twice and have Poco see her. A risk she was not willing to take.
So, she kept her distance, deciding that just seeing Pieck and Reiner physically step onto the platform was good enough for her. And they did, after a way to enthusiastic Gabi. Everyone was there including Poco. She removed her gaze from him, not wanting another unwelcomed memory to attack her. She felt a smile unconsciously form on her face as Pieck limped over to her father. He caught her in a tight embrace and sobbed. As they began to make their leave form the train station, so did she.
"Miss Theo?" It was Falco.
Shit.
"Oh uh. Hey there kid. Good to see you are still alive." She forced out. He gave her a weird look before offering a kind smile.
"It was… a lot. But we all made it. Well, all the warriors and the candidates that is." There was a type of sadness in his words that Ymir did not want to indulge in.
"Why aren't you with your friends?" She inquired. He shrugged glancing slightly at the line of run-down soldiers hugging the wall a few feet from where they were standing.
"I wanted to ask the sergeant a question." Falco answered. He stared at the battered men for a second before cocking his head in realization. "Miss Theo, why are you not down there? Ms. Pieck missed you an awful lot."
"Um. Didn't want to interrupt her time with her father. Seeing her alive is enough for me." She shrugged. Falco didn't say anything, attention returning to the men. Ymir shoved him gently with her elbow. "Do you need me to walk with you over there?"
"If you want. Just a heads up, he's not the friendliest of marleyan soldiers." He admitted referring to the plump man currently cursing in annoyance.
"I'm a big girl." She winked down at him. He smiled shyly as a small blush formed over his cheeks before following her.
"For crying out loud! Do you not know how to stand?" The plump man asked yanking a poor eldian to his feet. Ymir already didn't like him. Falco seemed unfazed.
"Are these injured soldiers Mr. Koslow?" Falco asked. The solider he had just addressed turned to the young boy.
"Huh? Stay out of the way brat!" He glared down at him. Falco did not budge as though such a response was to be expected.
"Don't be rude. The kid was just asking a simple question." Ymir gave him a challenging glare. He gave her a look of disbelief. Probably never had a common eldian woman speak to him in such a way. Though something about the challenge in her eyes kept him quiet. For now.
"They're Eldians with emotional trauma." He huffed.
"Even our guys?" The young boy seemed concerned. The older man just rolled his eyes.
"It's from digging trenches on the front lines for so long. All those bombs and bullets do it to you." The fat bastard waved his good arm in the air as though he had no concern or care. Ymir felt her nails dig into her palms.
"BOOM!" He screamed at them. The unstable soldiers yelped in terror as they ducked for cover from an imaginary attack. Along with another marlyean soldier, Koslow began to laugh.
"Look! They fell over again!" The fellow marlyean cackled. Falco ignored their humor and walked up to the first soldier in line cowering, hands over his head bracing for some sort of impact that would never come. He crouched down, placing a gentle hand on his back.
"You okay? It's alright." He reassured him. He then glanced at the man behind him, leg missing and judging from the bandage over his left eye, that was gone as well.
"Your armband is on the wrong arm." Falco pointed out as he began to help the disabled man remove his band, placing it on the correct arm. Ymir self-consciously felt hers just to make sure she didn't do the same.
"It's okay. I'm sure you won't have to fight any more." Falco reassured him, successfully placing the armband onto its rightful limb.
"What a fucking waste." Koslow muttered as him and the other soldier turned to leave coming face to face with Ymir.
"You're a fucking pig." Ymir looked down at him. She was taller and her eyes gave an intimidating aura. Koslow stopped, lost for words. Falco was also surprised by her actions. The eldian soldier he was currently helping shifted a little, reaching for his crutch.
"Who do you think you're talking to you damn eldian whore." Koslow scowled reaching to strike her with his good hand only to find himself face first on the ground. He landed on his bad arm and howled in pain. Ymir blinked down at him confused. She didn't do that.
"Koslow!" His comrade reached down to help him.
"Oops." The disabled man muttered near Falco. His crutch had tripped the plump man when he pulled it towards him. By now, the commotion had brought on a few onlookers making an already irritable and injured Koslow carefully rethink his next actions.
"I'll remember your face damn bitch." He growled pushing past her. Ymir just shrugged not really caring if he did or didn't and walked over to Falco to help him lift the injured eldian soldier to his feet.
"Was that on purpose?" She gave the man a knowing grin. He did not return it when he looked at her. His eye making her loose her own smile.
"Tell me! Who is the enemy here!?"
"Haven't got a clue"
"You. You're." She stuttered. She withdrew upon realizing who she was talking too. It was him. That boy? No way. He grabbed her hand.
"Kruger. Thank you." His face was neutral, but his eyes warned her not to press. "Your name?" He asked. Falco handed him his cane. He nodded in thanks.
"Theo." She mumbled trying to pull her hand from him. He held on tighter.
"Hmph. Doesn't suit you." He released her and began moving along with the other injured eldians. He grabbed her shoulder as he passed, whispering in her ear.
"Meet me at the institution where I will be held. Keep quiet about this if you ever want to see Historia again" He warned. Ymir felt frozen. It felt as though the air had become heavy in her lungs.
Eren
A shaky hand came up to her mouth to hide the sudden smile as thoughts returned of the man who bumped into her earlier.
Jean
"Ms. Theo?" Falco cocked his head to the side. She took a deep breath.
"Sorry. He startled me a little when he grabbed me. We should leave." She forced a smile for the young boy.
"Um okay." He didn't sound convinced but trotted along anyway. Ymir felt the corner of her lips turn upward.
"Welcome back." Ymir smiled at Pieck as she placed her gatherings onto the counter table. She had arrived not long after Pieck and her father.
"Theodora! That a girl! I knew I could count on you!" Pieck's father began to rummage through the bags before turning on the stove. Ymir scooted onto a seat next to Pieck.
"Glad to see you're still alive." She smirked at the smaller woman.
"Glad to see you're behaving." Pieck smirked back, filling to shot glasses with vodka. Ymir Raised an eyebrow.
"You know, it was a bitch to hide all the alcohol from your father. Had to drink half of it." She picked it up, swirling the contents a bit.
"Oh yes, such a task. I'm sure you enjoyed every sip." She pointed, raising her glass in the air. Ymir gave her a knowing smile and did the same, throwing her head back as the contents burned their way down her throat.
"I thank you though, for keeping my father from drinking himself to death while I was away." Pieck watched her father humming to himself in the kitchen as he prepared a special meal for his little girl.
"Well, like I said. It wasn't easy. You're everything to him." Ymir shrugged. They sat in silence, enjoying the almost family like atmosphere. Ymir glanced at Pieck's crutch and hummed.
"What?" Pieck asked already pouring another shot.
"Spending too much time on all fours again?" Ymir humored. Pieck snorted at the comment.
"Damn I missed you." She giggled.
"It's hard not to." Ymir shrugged. The clinked glasses and repeated their previous action.
"We won yet." A glazed over expression hit Pieck. Ymir went to ask her what was wrong when two plates of steaming hot food was set in front of them.
"Pieck! Theo! Let's eat!" He exclaimed. Ymir glanced over at her friend noticing that whatever seemed to have been troubling her faded with her father's exuberance. So, they ate and drank. They talked and enjoyed each other's company throughout the night until finally the liquor was too much for the dark-haired woman's old man. When he retired, the two found themselves outside under the night sky.
Pieck had her eyes closed with her back towards the soft grass as she let the night breeze brush over her pale skin. Ymir eventually joined her from where she was sitting.
"Beautiful night." Pieck smiled opening her eyes to gaze lazily up at the star filled sky. Ymir simply hummed in agreement. When no words were exchanged, Pieck continued.
"I think the time of titan shifters are coming to an end." Pieck glanced at the tall brunette.
"Think so?" Ymir whispered thinking about what she had read in the newspaper. Pieck just returned her eyes to the stars above. Ymir remembered the look Eren's eyes that told her otherwise. But that is not what bothered her the most. It was the way he looked at her. His icy stair contrasted the enthusiastic young man she remembered. Full of hope, full of determination.
"Ymir?" Pieck had rolled to her side. Ymir furrowed her eyebrows in concentration.
Meet me at the institution. And keep quiet about this. That is, if you ever want to see Historia again.
Did he threaten me? Her thoughts where interrupted when she felt something tickling her. She quickly sat up and swatted the blade of grass Pieck had just stuck in her ear. The shorter woman rolled over giggling
"The fuck Pieck?" Ymir grabbed a handful of grass and tossed it over her.
"Sorry. You had an ugly expression." She explained picking the blades of grass out of her hair and sitting up.
"I'm not even going to respond to that you little troll." Ymir shook her head but smiled non the less. Pieck let out a loud yawn as she stretched her hands over her head. "You tired?"
"Yeah, I am. Exhausted actually." Pieck mumbled, a lazy smile forming on her lips. Ymir stood and extended her hand out.
"Let's head inside then." She helped Pieck to her feet only to have to catch her as the smaller woman stumbled with unsteady legs.
"Easy." Ymir warned.
"Sorry about that. It's been a while since I was human." She chuckled. Ymir rolled her eyes.
"Or, it's just a good excuse to hug me." Ymir joked.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night." Not much effort was put into the jab. Ymir could feel how tired her friend was as Pieck began to unconsciously bear her full weight onto the taller woman.
"Here. Hop on." Ymir offered as she crouched before her, careful not to knock over the fatigued warrior. Pieck gave her a ridiculous look.
"Seriously?" She deadpanned. Ymir just nodded.
"Yep. Dead serious. I don't want to watch you crawl your way back to the shop." Ymir felt Pieck's weight against her back. Ymir stood, Ignoring the small pop in her knee as she did so. Wrapping her arms around Pieck's legs, she couldn't help but notice how light her friend felt.
"Thank you." Pieck mumbled resting her chin on her friend's shoulder. "You make a good mom."
"Excuse me!? I'm not that much older than you!" Ymir scowled as she carried Pieck up the small path.
"You are though. According to your story. You may not look it Ymir, but you have seen way more of the world than most." Pieck tightened her grip a little around Ymir's neck as her body began feeling heavy.
"Sure. Whatever you say." Ymir mumbled.
"Don't pout. How about big sister. Is that better?" Pieck smiled.
"A lot better." Ymir smirked.
"Ya, that seems better. You really are like an older sister." Pieck rested her chin on Ymir's shoulder. Although it was a short walk, Pieck had fallen asleep. Ymir gently placed her in bed upstairs. Seems like she would sleep here for the night. Ymir removed her boots and threw the blankets over Pieck's sleeping form. The young woman was out cold.
It appeared that every time Pieck returned from such missions, she appeared more fragile than she had left. Was this due to the curse of Ymir? Or just the overwhelming toll war had on one's body.
Probably a little of both. Ymir thought watching Pieck's deep breaths as she slept.
Although her friend was already unconscious to the world, Ymir was not ready to turn in for the night. She sat outside enjoying the quiet, letting her thoughts drift.
"Hmmm." Ymir watched as fallen stars light up the sky. She felt a sense of dread.
Eren
Jean
Who else was here?
And for why?
"Just promise me one thing. No matter what you choose, just make sure it is your own decision." She removed her hands and placed them in her pockets turning away. "And I just want to say this now. If it comes to it, I will always choose Historia."
Ymir brought her thumb to her mouth in thought.
"As much as Marley has oppressed us Eldians, I'll have to choose Reiner and the others. They are my family."
Ymir began feeling the agitation of conflict.
"You really are like an older sister."
Ymir bit down on her nail and huffed in frustration.
"Fuck."
"The Tybur family huh." Poco mumbled walking next to Pieck, making sure she was able to keep up with him on her crutch.
"A rather useful meeting I say. I wonder though, will it really work?" Pieck inquired.
"Zeke sure seemed to think so." Poco mumbled stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets.
"Will you be meeting up with Colt and the others for lunch?" Pieck cocked her head to the side. Poco paused at the sudden change in subject.
"Sure, you? I'll buy." He smirked. Pieck smiled kindly but shook her head.
"Thank you Poc. But I think I need to rest a little more." She saw the slight disappointment in his eyes at being turned down but agreed non the less.
"I get it. Your power really wipes you out. Rest up." He waved heading out. She did the same when a slender hand covered her mouth to keep her from releasing a surprised yelp as she was pulled out of sight.
"Gotcha!" Ymir grinned at the flustered woman careful to keep her upright.
"Ymir!" Pieck swatted her hand away and scowled.
"Aw did I make you angry?" Ymir gave her a shit eating grin.
"What the hell are you doing here!?" The younger woman hissed.
"I was bored." Ymir shrugged lazily.
"I can't with you! Poc is right there." She pointed to where she was previously standing before Ymir surprised her. The brunette raised an eyebrow as she glanced over Pieck's shoulder to see that Poco was already gone.
"Any way, how was your meeting?" Ymir ignored the irritation in Pieck's voice completely. Pieck took a deep breath to remind herself that lecturing Ymir would be a moot point.
"Talk of a festival. In preparation to welcome the Tybur family." Pieck began walking forward, Ymir following.
"Tybur family?" She questioned.
"Ya. A respected eldian family." She explained, uncertain on how much detail she should give to the tall brunette.
"Hmmm… there's more to it isn't there." Ymir pointed out.
"Ymir." Pieck warned.
"Ya ya. I don't really care to be honest. Festival sounds cool though. You going to bring me?" Ymir waved her off.
"If you behave." Pieck smiled.
"Will you buy me raspberries?" Ymir asked. Pieck rolled her eyes.
"Yes Ymir, I will buy you raspberries." Pieck couldn't help but play along.
"Then I'll behave." Ymir wrapped a lazy arm around Pieck and leaned in closer. "Hey, listen, I know there's more to this festival, I'm not stupid." She focused ahead of them. She felt Pieck stiffen underneath her.
"What do you mean?" Pieck glanced at her suspiciously. Ymir read her face carefully.
She has no suspicion about them. Ymir's thoughts went back to Eren and Jean. She has no idea they are here. Is the reason for the festival really as she says? Or is she being played as well? Ymir scrunched her nose.
"You're going to use it to get closer to Pork chop aren't ya?" She joked hiding her real reasons. Pieck' s face grew red as she tried to push the taller woman away, palm to face.
"You are such a pain Ymir! It's not even like that!" Pieck protested.
"Fwy Fnot?" Her voice was muffled by Pieck's hand before removing it from her face.
"Ymir." She warned with a dangerous look.
"Okay fine! Sorry." Ymir laughed putting her hands up in defense. "I get it. You're tired, I'm annoying."
"Yes, and Yes." Pieck gave a fatigued smile.
"It's taking longer for you to recover." Ymir pointed out after they began to walk.
"It is." Pieck agreed.
"Just don't overdo it." Ymir patted her on the head.
"Sure Ymir. I'll try not to." Pieck's smile was genuine.
Genuine smiles never last.
"The hell is his problem?" Ymir asked, walking up to Eren who was currently watching the scene from the bench.
"Seems as though he has some regrets that are finally surfacing." Eren spoke casual, almost bored as he watched two nurses trying to contain the old man having a mental breakdown before them.
"That's a little bit ass backwards for doctor, no?" Ymir asked sitting next to her old comrade. Eren did not respond. "So, wanna tell me why the fuck you are sitting in a looney bin with one damn leg?" Ymir huffed.
"You seem to be doing well yourself Ymir. Returning to your homeland must have brought a sense of nostalgia for you." Eren spoke. Ymir scoffed.
"You make do when you can't remember a damn thing for three whole years. It's not like I chose this." Ymir scowled feeling defensive.
"You remember everything now yet, you still frolic with the cart titan." Eren finally looked at her, unreadable and distant.
"She helped me." She didn't bother hiding anything. Like she gave a fuck. It was her life, she owed nothing to him.
"Who would you choose?" Eren turned away again. Ymir had an idea of what he meant.
"I would choose Historia over any of you." Ymir hissed, holding her anger back in front of on lookers.
"Then, be at the festival when William Tybur delivers his speech. It will be your one chance back to Historia. Now leave before you are seen with me." Eren nodded to the street where young Falco was indeed making his way past the institution.
"Damn kid. Always showing up at the worst times." Ymir mumbled. She stood and went to leave turning toward Eren once more.
"Leave the kid out of your shit." Ymir warned as she left. She gave a worried glance over at Falco who was being waved over by Eren. What did he want with the kid? Eren was very different from what she remembered. Hopefully Falco would not be dragged into whatever was coming. Her thoughts distracted her from where she was walking and consequently, she smacked into someone.
"Ah! S-sorry!" She mumbled slightly embarrassed. Was it a theme for her to not watch where she was going lately?
"Ymir?" A familiar voice snapped her from her dazed thoughts. It was Reiner. She looked him up and down noticing the heavy bags under his eyes and slouched position.
"Reiner? You look like shit." It came out without hesitation. He raised an eyebrow at her comment
"Thanks Ymir. It's a pleasure to see you too." He forced a smile, but Ymir heard the strain in his voice. He was tired. Something wasn't right.
"Sorry. That came out without much thought." She smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of her head. Reiner gave a laugh that seemed to almost surprise himself.
"Old habits die hard?" He joked. Ymir chuckled.
"Ya, sure." Ymir laughed back. The thought of the possibilities of Reiner seeing Falco with Eren crossed her mind. Without looking back to even confirm that Falco was still walking towards her old comrade, Ymir walked past Reiner motioning him to follow.
"Wanna get a drink?" She asked.
"It's two in the afternoon." He pointed out but, followed her anyway.
"Yep, and it looks like you need it. And I will need one to listen to you." She teased.
"On the house baby." The bar tender smiled at Ymir as she handed both her and Reiner their respective drinks.
"Thank you." Ymir smiled sweetly at her.
"So, how did you find this place?" Reiner asked wasting no time to indulge in his beverage.
"Well. I did some exploring when I got bored. It's close to Pieck's old man's shop so you do the math." Ymir shrugged and took a deep sip of her drink.
"Makes sense. Couldn't expect you to live the past four years locked in a bakery." He smiled into his drink.
"Damn straight. This is where I met Falco and Colt you know." She swirled her cup, watching the ice float in her beverage.
"Really? Well now that you mention it, I think he did say something about a little whole in the wall of a bar." He realized.
"Yep. Almost got himself killed "defending" me. Idiot boy." Ymir scoffed finishing her drink. Reiner laughed.
"He kind of has a thing for you, you know." Reiner teased still laughing. "Falco too."
"Is that right? Not used to being the one being ogled at. That was Historia's job!" She laughed loud letting the alcohol ease her attitude.
"You're not a bad looking woman Y…. Theo." Reiner pointed out. Ymir just rolled her eyes.
"Is that so?" She smirked challenging him to go on. Reiner threw his drink back and leaned in closer.
"Ya. You were just a fucking bitch and made it very clear what you liked." He smirked.
"Cheers to that!" She clinked glasses with him.
"Thank you, Ymir. You're the one person I feel like I can actually talk to in this hell." He spoke softly, careful not to have others hear her real name. Ymir frowned; eyes glazed.
"Do you ever think of going back?" She asked after a bit of silence.
"You know the answer to that." Reiner did not look at her.
"Listen, all I know is you were a hell of a lot less mopey inside the walls then here. Ironically, I think you were more real about who you were then now. Even if you were bat shit crazy." She mumbled the last part into her glass.
"Have you ever read beauty and the beast?" He asked. She placed her cup down and gave him ridiculous look.
"No Reiner." She replied as if she already knew the punch line.
"Historia was the beauty." He laughed.
"Thanks dick head."
"No problem sadist."
"It's cold today." Krista snuggled in closer to Ymir as she sat behind the brunette who oversaw the reins.
"You could have stayed in bed." Ymir smirked at the feeling of Krista's body against hers. She led their horse up the snowy trail. The sun was just rising as the two made their way to familiar hunting grounds.
"Yes well, you could have not punched that noble's daughter in the face, and you could have stayed in bed too, with me." Krista leaned up and playfully nipped Ymir's ear. The brunette jumped at the contact making the blonde giggle.
"So, you can yell at me for scolding Sasha for interrupting our "lesson" yet, I can't knock some sense into some smug ass kid who bought her way into the military police for picking on her?" Ymir gave her a sideways grin.
"Hey! I'm not the one whose sending you out to hunt a deer as punishment. You're lucky the higher ups didn't give you something worse." Krista pouted. Ymir rolled her eyes.
"Nothing they can do worse to me." Ymir mumbled.
"Huh?" Krista began when she bumped into Ymir's back when the brunette halted the horse.
"Krista look!" Ymir pointed in a hushed voice. Blue eyes followed a slender finger to the direction of a massive buck. "Come on!" Ymir ushered the speechless blonde off the horse and moved towards the animal while staying low to the ground.
"Woah! I've never seen one that big!" Krista whispered when the two girls found themselves behind a large boulder. Ymir could feel the blonde's warm breath against her cheek as her smaller companion huddled closer to her.
"Ya, it is. And I'm about to get us the hell out of here." Ymir grinned as she strung the bow, she had over her shoulder with a sharp tipped arrow.
"Do you really have to kill it?" Krista placed a gentle hand on Ymir's thigh. The brunette tensed at the touch. She glanced at the tiny blonde whose eyes where still locked onto the beast before them.
"Well, ya. That's kind of the point of hunting. Besides, the sooner I get this done, the sooner we can get into a warm bed." Ymir whispered pulling the bow back.
"Ymir." Krista swallowed at her words. She jumped at the sudden release of the arrow. The creature let out a shallow groan before hitting the snowy ground below.
"Fuck yes!" Ymir punched the air in excitement.
"Woah! You got it!" Krista spoke in bewilderment. She let out a small squeak in surprise as the brunette stood and ruffled her blonde hair.
"Of course, dummy!" Ymir threw her bow over her shoulder and jogged over to her kill with Krista close behind.
"Is it dead?" Krista kept her distance.
"Pretty dead, ya." Ymir shrugged pulling the arrow from its entry wound. "Awesome! Only had to use one. One less thing for them to get on my ass about." She used the light snow on the ground to clean off the weapon, careful not to get blood on herself.
"Poor thing." Krista kneeled beside the animal and stroked its muzzle. Ymir frowned, feeling a little guilty at the sadness in Krista's crystal blue eyes. The brunette rubbed the back of her neck, conflicted. She sighed and kneeled beside her small lover. "Ymir?" Krista watched as the brunette closed her eyes and placed a palm over the beast's chest, slender fingers grasping at the soft fur.
"Thank you." She whispered to the deer. Krista watched the interaction quietly, a warm feeling developing in her chest. "Okay, let's strap him up and head back."
"Alright." Krista blushed when Ymir planted a small kiss on her porcelain cheek after the brunette helped her stand.
"Don't worry, the whole deer will be used. He didn't die for nothing." She explained giving the blonde a convincing smile. "Okay, Ill grab the horse. Stay here." She left Krista as she jogged over to the waiting mare who suddenly seemed very uneasy. Krista had a silly smile on her face watching her love try to hide her excitement. It was short lived when a blur of white and gray fur pounced at Ymir from the snowy underbrush. It happened so fast that Krista could only shout one word.
"Wolf!" The small blonde cried. Though panicked and forced, the brief warning gave the brunette enough time to brace herself for the impact. Ymir somehow managed to lodge her bow far back into the beast's throat. She fell hard onto the ground, the wild beast snapping and growling on top of her.
"Fuck!" Ymir wheezed struggling to catch her breath. Her bow began to splinter under the pressure of powerful jaws.
"Ymir!" Krista screamed when the brunette let out an agonizing scream as sharp and powerful claws dug into her side.
"S-stay back!" Ymir warned when Krista began to advance, a small hunting knife in shaky hands. The warning fell on death ears as Krista was pushed back roughly scarcely missing an attack from a second wolf. A third was closely behind, eyes locked onto their small and feeble prey.
"Krista!" Ymir was helpless as she struggled to keep her own predator at bay. She watched horrified as a defenseless Krista struggled backwards from the two wolves slow and menacing advances. The terrified blonde was too scared to register Ymir's pleads for her to run.
Shit! She's going to get killed! I'm going to get killed!
Ymir turned her attention from Krista to the wolf snapping and snarling above her.
I need to turn! But…
The thought of becoming a titan, exposing her secret to Krista and having the one person she ever loved turn against her. It almost horrified her more than her current situation.
Don't think!
Tears began to form in her amber eyes.
If I don't do something, we'll die!
She shook her head furiously.
"Don't fucking think!" She yelled as a surge of energy could be felt coursing through her body like electricity. Yellow flashed behind her eyes as she felt the power begging to come out. However, before it could be unleashed an arrow zipped past her ear. Suddenly, the heavy weight of the wolf on top of her vanished as the creature fell to her side, dead. Ymir laid there stunned. Her chest heaving with heavy breaths that she could see being released from her mouth as her hot breath evaporated at contact with the cold air.
"Ymir!" Krista's voice brought her back. Her body moved on its own, standing on unsteady legs nearly falling over when Krista ran into her arms. Instinctively, her long arms wrapped around the trembling blonde as she observed the scene before her. Three large wolves, all dead with a single arrow sticking from their heads.
"The hell?" Ymir muttered.
"Are you guys alright?" A small, hesitant voice asked from beside them causing Ymir to jump.
"Thanks to you Sasha." Krista pulled away. Wiping tears from her eyes.
"Hell potato girl. You're a fucking beast with a bow." Ymir tried hard to seem composed though her voice trembled slightly.
"I'm just glad you two are safe. I heard the pack from camp. I didn't think I was going to make it in time." Sasha explained. Ymir and Krista blinked at her in both confusion and awe.
"You heard them?" Ymir questioned.
"From camp?" Krista pondered. Sasha just nodded. The red head flinched as Ymir threw her arm around her. The brunette let out a joyful laugh.
"You're amazing kid! I knew there was something special about you!" Ymir withdrew her arm from a flustered Sasha.
"Well, I owed you. No one has ever stood up for me like that. Besides, I don't want to see anyone get hurt." Sasha scratched her cheek.
"Owe me? Kid, you literally just saved our asses!" Ymir gave her a friendly punch to the shoulder. Krista chuckled at the interaction. She found it cute. She never saw Ymir show this side of her to anyone but her. Sasha really was special.
"Well, let's get this beast home. Time to have a feast and get drunk!" Ymir held her fist out to Sasha. The red head gave a toothy smile as she connected her own fist with Ymir's.
"Yes! Meat!" Sasha yelled in exuberance as she trotted over to prepare the deer for transport.
"She really is amazing." Krista nudged her love gently with her elbow.
"She's a fucking animal is what she is." Ymir chuckled. "Still, it's nice to know someone out there would risk their ass for a shitty person like myself." Ymir gave her a somber smile. Krista shook her head at her.
"Ymir, you're not a shitty person. You have a lot of people who care for you. The sooner you realize that I think the sooner you will be happier with yourself.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Ymir let out a yelp of utter shock and slight horror as she was bombarded with a group of people yelling at her when she entered the bakery. A small pop of confetti hit her face. She had her hands in front of her ready from some sort of attack. Instead, it was Pieck with a little confetti stick thing, standing in front of her.
"The fuck is this?" Was all Ymir could muster. Pieck rolled her eyes.
"Nice, in front of this kids Theo? It's your surprise birthday party you idiot." Pieck laughed walking back to the group where a large cake sat upon the table.
"K-kids?" Ymir surveyed the room after she was sure she did not just shit herself. Around the table was Gabi and Falco along with two other kids. Reiner and Pieck's Father sat in the back watching. Reiner gave her a small wave. Colt walked up to her. A blush on his face.
"H-happy birthday Theodora." He quickly shoved the small gift into her arms.
"Colt you idiot! That's not how it works!" Gabi growled. "It's cake then presents!"
"But I." Colt was flustered and clearly embarrassed as the kids snickered. Pieck wrapped her arm around Ymir to guide her to the table.
"Gabi planned it. She get's upset when things don't go her way." Pieck explained.
"Gabi did?" Ymir looked at the young girl.
"Ms. Pieck! You said you wouldn't tell her that!" Gabi cried, her face turning bright red.
"You did? Oh, I'm sorry Gabi." Pieck said sitting next to Ymir. She obviously did.
"I did it for Ms. Pieck! Don't get any ideas!" Gabi crossed her arms and turned away from the two women.
"Gabi! You're being rude!" Falco whispered.
"Shut up!" Gabi muttered.
"You were really excited when she asked though." A young girl with silver hair pointed out. Pieck whispered her name to Ymir. It was Zofia.
"Shut up!" Gabi yelled again.
"Ya, you couldn't wait to see the look on Ms. Theo's face." The boy named Udon pointed out.
"I said shut it!" Gabi stood, one foot on the table, an index finger pointing directly to Ymir.
"Uhhh. Yes?" Ymir asked still overwhelmed and confused at the whole situation.
"Tell me Ms. Theo! Were you surprised!" She asked.
"Gabi! Get off the table." Reiner lectured gently smacking the young girl in the back of the head. Ymir laughed.
"I was fucking terrified!" She received her own smack in the head by Pieck.
"Language." The smaller woman warned. Everyone laughed at both Gabi and Ymir's matching expressions.
"Okay! Let's have some cake. Dad made it special just for you Theo." Pieck cut Ymir the first slice and handed it to her.
"Oh. Alright. Thank you." Ymir took a bite knowing everyone would keep staring at her until she did. Her face lit up. "Raspberry?" She asked with a full mouth. Pieck's old man's face lit up.
"Of course, kid! It's your day after all." He smiled happy that his work was quickly recognized. And so, they ate and gave gifts.
She opened Colt's first, which was a bottle of the liquor the two had shared during their first meeting. When she asked if he was trying to get her drunk, he almost fainted.
Udon and Zofia gave her two well written cards and some raspberry candies. They didn't know her well, but the gesture was very nice. She thanked them.
Falco gave her a bracelet telling her that the gems were supposed to help with her sudden "headaches" or something like that. That was what the weird old lady on the corner had said anyway. She laughed and gave him a little kiss on the cheek just to fuck with Colt.
Colt almost throttled him. Falco was to daze to care.
Last, it was Gabi. The girl handed her an envelope looking away. Ymir took it and opened it. It was some sort of ticket?
"It's for the festival tomorrow. It's like a big deal and stuff so… Maybe you'll go? With us?" She shoved her hands in her pockets. Ymir looked at the ticket then at Pieck. The woman just nodded. Gabi jumped a little as Ymir ruffled her hair.
"I'd love to kid. Thanks. This all means a lot. Seriously." Gabi blushed at the compliment but said nothing.
Soon, everyone said their farewells leaving Reiner and Pieck to clean insisting that Ymir should hang out outside and relax. It was her day after all, so she did.
They walked out as soon as the sun began to set to join their friend on the soft grass.
"So?" Pieck nudged her. Ymir smirked.
"It was nice. Really nice. Thanks. But, how did you know it was my birthday?" She asked. Pieck nodded to Reiner. Ymir glanced at him curiously.
"You know Kri… I mean, Historia made it a point for us to celebrate everyone's birthday. Even though you shut yours down every year, we still knew." He shrugged.
"Ah." Ymir replied. The three watched the sun set over the town.
"Zeke and Poc had other arrangements. So, that's how everything played out. If you were wondering." Pieck winked. Ymir glanced at her.
"Still. Was that a good idea? Even brining those two kids?" She wondered.
"It won't matter." Reiner cut in. Ymir looked at him curiously.
"We still haven't given you our gift." Pieck grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
"I… Okay?" Ymir raised an eyebrow. Reiner reached into his jacket.
"After tomorrow, it won't matter who finds out about you because you will be going back to Paradise." He handed her a piece of paper; a little bit bigger than the ticket Gabi had given her.
"What is this?" Ymir held it up curiously.
"Your ticket to getting back to Historia." Pieck gave her a sad smile. She looked at her with utter shock.
"W-what?" Ymir asked. Reiner nodded.
"It took years to make connections and to cover our asses until we could secure that for you. Sorry it took so long. Out of all the sins we have committed, Pieck and I decided early that you wouldn't be one of them." He explained. Ymir looked at both, then back at the paper.
"So I.." Ymir felt something build in her throat.
"Happy Birthday Ymir." Pieck rested her head on Ymir's shoulder's, watching small drops of water hit the paper in her friend's hands.
"I get to …" Ymir sniffed.
"Ymir, you're not a shitty person. You have a lot of people who care for you. The sooner you realize that I think the sooner you will be happier with yourself
"You get to go home." Reiner patted her shoulder. Ymir hid her face from the as she brought her knees to her chest. She felt Pieck pull her into a hug.
"Thank you." Ymir whispered.
"Thank you." She repeated before tears flowed freely down her cheeks.
Historia… I'm coming home
Chapter 6
I'm Coming Home
To be continued…
Holy hell.
Finally finished after getting my laptop fixed.
Thanks for everyones comments we are getting soooooo close!
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