Chapter 8: Aftermath

Eren groggily opened his eyes as the surface he was laying on suddenly lurched forwards. A pair of arms grabbed him, and he looked up to see Bertholdt carrying him to the ground. They landed on the ground and Eren quickly pushed Bertholdt off of him as the form of the female titan fell to a knee; She's out of energy. Annie pulled herself out of the nape but fell back as all the feeling in her body left her and she began falling to the ground. Eren was already in motion as he caught the falling girl and fell to the ground to cushion her fall. Groaning, he caught a glimpse of her face to see she was clearly unconscious. Bertholdt ran over to the duo and frowned when he saw the state Annie was in.

"She really put everything into getting us away from the wall," he moved to take her from Eren's arms but quickly retreated as Eren snarled at him. The shorter boy carried her bridal style to a flat area of grass and gently laid her down.

"She needs rest, do you have any supplies?"

"They'll be with Zeke and Pieck, they'll be here pretty soon."

"Zeke, is that the beast titan?"

"Yes," Eren groaned.

"Who's Pieck?"

"The cart titan, another shifter."

"Another shifter?" Eren blanched. "How many shifters do you guys have?"

"Six. Beast, colossal, female, armoured, jaws, and cart."

"How many are there exactly?"

"There are 9 total. Marley possesses one and you have the other two."

"The attack and founding… What's Marley? What titan do they have?"

"Marley is a civilization outside the walls. They're a selfish people that torture the Eldians that live there and they're responsible for sending the titans to the walls. They have the Warhammer titan, but I've never seen it."

"And where do you come from? This place that's under threat of an enemy I don't know of."

"We'll answer everything about our home when Reiner gets here, is that ok?"

"Sure."

"I have to say, you're awfully calm, Eren."

"Oh, don't get me wrong. Every fibre of my being wants to crush you for what you did. But… Annie's recovery comes first, and she'd be pissed at me if I killed her friends while she was unconscious."

"Do you have feelings for her?"

"Straight to the personal questions, are we? You've changed Bertholdt. Not as nervous and timid like you used to be."

"I had to change, is that a bad thing?"

"It gets you a little more respect from me. Proves you aren't a complete coward," Eren spat those words. "Anyway, I can't really explain it, but it always feels like there's something between Annie and I. Even now, there's this 'rope' that I can faintly feel. Like if I focussed really hard, I could know where she is," Bertholdt studied Eren's puzzled expression and sighed.

"I used to have feelings for her."

"Used to?"

"Yeah, up until a few days ago actually. When I screwed my head on straight, I realised it was just a silly childhood crush and that we're very different people. Sure, we can empathise with each other on a level, but I know she's looks for a different type of guy. Hell, I don't know if she even looks for anything; she doesn't seem to care too much."

"Hmm."

"What's on your mind?"

"It's hard to believe you're the one responsible for killing mum. Just, if that hadn't happened. I wouldn't hate you this much, you're a likeable guy and I hate that we can't be friends. Not now, at least. Some part of me wants to forgive you, but I can't bring myself to. Otherwise, it feels like I'm forsaking my mother." Bertholdt just nodded and kept his mouth shut; saying something would only make this situation worse. "Before, you said you felt sorry for me. When you captured me, and I asked you what you felt when I told you that story. What do you feel now?" Bertholdt took a shaky breath and prepared himself.

"Eren, I feel nothing but regret and grief for what I did. I couldn't count the amount of times I wanted to go back and change how it all played out. I wish we had found another way. Sitting there as you told us that story… I felt like the dirtiest scum of the Earth for listening to that and still pretending to be your friend. No, scratch that. For still being your friend after you told us that; because I know we used to be friends. I know that saying sorry won't change anything and it won't bring your mother back as much as I wish it did. The only thing I can do is keep moving forward and accept whatever happens. If I deserve to die for what I've done, then so be it. I accept that fate, and I accept the consequences for what I've done. If you want to kill me right here, right now… Then I won't stop you." Eren stared at Bertholdt in shock before growling as he tackled the taller boy and wrapped his hands around his throat.

"So, you won't fight this? You'll accept death right now?" Bertholdt nodded to the best of his ability and Eren tightened his grip. Dots began to appear in his vision as Bertholdt's lungs screamed for air, yet he didn't fight back. If this is the end for me, then so be it. I'm sorry I couldn't stick around to see you again, dad. Reiner, Annie; I'll be cheering you on from wherever I go after this life. Good luck… Bertholdt closed his eyes as the end neared but Eren suddenly tore his hands away and sighed. "I can't, I can't do it." He punched the ground and screamed, "I can't do it! I can't kill you!" He stood up, breathing heavily as Bertholdt gasped for air. Eren stood at the boys side, "Sit up," he demanded. Bertholdt struggled to do as Eren told him before receiving a brutal kick to the midsection, winding him as he fell to the ground. Eren chuckled, "Annie taught me that one, revenge for kicking me on top of the wall. That's all you get now but don't think that makes us even. You have a lot of suffering to do before I forgive you." Bertholdt took deep breaths.

"Che-ers Eren," he wheezed. A groan sounded behind them.

"Can you guys be any louder?" Annie mumbled. Eren whirled around and rushed to her side, kneeling down as her eyes fluttered open.

"Hey, how you feeling?"

"Like hell."

"You ran flat out for hours. Try to get some sleep, yeah?" She glared at him.

"That's what I was trying to do."

Bertholdt was still getting his breath back and he pointed an accusatory finger at Eren.

"Why does she get special treatment?"

"Shut up, Bertholdt."

"Basstard," Bertholdt moaned before he collapsed.

"Now that that's out of the way. Long time, no see, Annie."

"Hi."

"Thanks for kicking me off the wall back there."

"No worries."

"I was joking."

"I know."

"You know that hurt, right?"

"Yep."

"I get the feeling you take pride in that."

"The image of your ass in the air as you hit the ground face first was quite satisfying."

"Unbelievable." If he was being honest, Eren felt rather glad to be talking to Annie again. Even with everything she's done. The death, the sting of betrayal; conversing with her felt right. He still needed more answers though; he needed to fully understand the reasons behind their actions. Being kids and all, he could get why they didn't question much. But, that doesn't excuse attempted genocide and it was going to take more than that to convince him to stay with them. Sighing, he sat down next to Annie who was staring at the ground with half-lidded eyes.

"Annie?" She glanced at him and he held her gaze. "What was the reason for all of this? So much death… What makes it all worth it." She looked back at the ground and stayed quiet for about half a minute before responding.

"Eren, whatever answer you're looking for, I can't give it to you."

"Surely you know something."

"I'll tell you all I know. Our home is under threat by an enemy I know nothing absolutely nothing about. We're a peaceful people, and our population isn't very high but we're powerful with the possession of six titan powers. I'd been chosen to take on the female titan when I was younger – my dad has a high ranking position within our village and that influenced the decision a lot, along with his fighting style. Before we left, everyone seemed nervous. Like we were running out of time and we were everyone's last hope. You see, we weren't the first ones sent to infiltrate the walls. There was one sent before us, but we hadn't heard from him in years. We were given our mission and events happened from there. All the way up until now."

"I see, thank you," Annie just nodded her head. "Do you know who they sent inside the walls before you guys?"

"No, I know nothing of him. I don't know his name; I don't know what he looks like. I don't even know if he was a shifter or not. I just know that he exists and that he came to the walls before I was born."

"Interesting, I appreciate the information, Annie." He started to get up so she could get some rest.

"Eren," he stopped and turned to face her. "Have you noticed a funny feeling when I'm around?" His eyes widened, he knew exactly what she was talking about and he sat back down.

"Yes, it was very faint for a while but recently, it's been getting stronger. Like it's pulling me in a certain direction."

"Where do you feel it?" He pointed to a spot on his chest and she nodded.

"It's the same for me."

"What do you think it means?"

"Honestly, I don't know, and I wish it never existed. But, maybe the village elders can answer that for us."

"You treat it like it's a bad thing."

"It is, I don't want to be bound to anyone. I don't want to feel anything for anyone, that's just how things should be," Eren was oddly upset by her words.

"So that's how it is huh? You never wanted to give a shit about me? What about those times where you got into my head and helped me? That was all for nothing?"

"I was bored and stuck in a dark abyss for what felt like months. I just made the most of my time outside. As I said, the village elders should be able to fix this."

"Fix this?!" he snarled. "You break into my home, kill my parents. Turn my life into a living hell, kill my friends before trying to kidnap me," Eren was giving in to his frustration. "And now, you act like I'm just some tumour to cut out of your life! Fucks sake, Annie!" She looked at him with an amused expression before sighing in disappointment.

"Here I was, thinking you'd changed."

"What was that?" He bit out.

"Eren, grow up." His eyes widened and his veins bulged, clenching his fists as he tried to rein in his anger. Trying to prevent himself from punching the petite blonde. "You talk about us killing your mother and all the horrible things we've done. You hide behind that excuse like a petty child throwing a tantrum. Yes, your mother is dead, that happened 5 years ago so get over yourself." Eren was visibly shaking at the accusation.

"What would you know? At least you still have a parent left to return home to." He took a deep breath, Annie looked down at the ground and he saw this as an opportunity to push his advantage.

"You still have that figure in your life. When they're under threat, you don't hesitate to take those figures away from others," her eyes snapped back to him with an icy stare.

"Yes, Eren. I didn't give a shit about what it meant to others. I only cared about myself and my father; I don't regret that, and I plan to continue doing so. You think you know my life? My biological parents abandoned me when I was born. Clearly, I wasn't worth loving. But, my adoptive father found me and took me in. Raised me to be his pretty little weapon, to uphold his reputation so he could gloat about the honour I would bring to his name. He didn't even care about me as a person, at first. Because people don't give a shit about me, that much is obvious. But, right before I left. He got on his knees and begged for forgiveness while he wept like a child. But, he proved that he was willing to care and I can't let him die for that. I don't care how much blood I have to dirty my hands with to achieve that. Yeah Eren, I'm a monster, I'm a murderer and I'm sick of you trying to make me feel bad." She stood up and walked away from the shocked boy, towards where Bertholdt was passed out. "Do me a favour and stay out of my way, pissant." Needless to say, Eren was shocked by her revelation, the feeling in his chest groaned in pain. As if drilling it into him that he said the completely wrong thing, but he ignored it. He was conflicted inside; his raging, arrogant persona fighting the logical and level-headed part of him that he had worked so hard to be.

Breathing deeply, he fought to keep himself under control as he processed the information swimming in his head. His jaw clenching, one of his sides triumphed over the other. You're wrong Annie. You aren't a monster or a murderer… You're only human. With that, he slumped to his knees as exhaustion lulled him to sleep.

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Watching Eren's body fall to the ground, Annie struggled to keep her expression stoic. She was a mess, but she stood by what she said. As much as she hated to admit it, she did feel something for Eren. Yet, if he refused to move on from the past, then no future could ever exist between them. She was interested to see his next move. Would he try to talk to her? Would he be reasonable, or would he insult her? Or would he heed her advice and avoid interaction altogether?

The next move is yours, Yeager. Make it count.

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Another chapter done, I'll probably stick this on wattpad too.