Things are back on track, chapter 99 while nail biting was shorter than I expected. I so wanted to see Eren and Reiner really talking about how things are and how they will be, but I digress till chapter 100 and 101 in December. Sorry for the really long delay, but the chapter is longer than usual so that'll be the trade off from now on. Full Au style chapter with light manga inspiration cosnidering how it went in the last 2 chapters of the Marley Arc. Well you know the drill, drop a review. let us begin.
Soldier meets Soldier.
Falco hummed happily as he walked with Mr Krueger towards Mr Braun's house, slowing his usual pace to give the crippled man some leisure in his step. After all he'd only been discharged from the Hospital upon the arrival of his family.
His "family" as he called them while only 1 was actually related to him in a way, were an odd bunch to say the least. They too all had the tired eyes Mr Krueger had, although the one dark haired girl seemed alive being near him once more. Krueger had explained that the woman was his stepsister, and he'd saved her when he was younger from kidnappers. After that she came to live with him, and Falco felt sympathy for the woman, although she did come off as intimidating to him at first.
There was the odd blonde man who had the coconut hair, although it had length to it which showed Falco was grown with care. The boys blue eyes seemed very vibrant like Krueger's were, although they seemed to be very calculating, despite how polite the man was to Falco. Falco was surprised to see one of the men, a taller one with light brown hair greeted Mr Krueger with a nickname that was clearly an inside joke between the two as they exchanged pleasantries and have a good hug to each other. The names "horse face" and "suicidal bastard" while sounding like insults were expressed like teasing between brothers who hadn't seen each other in a long time. Krueger had seemed happy to see the men he most likely considered his brothers.
When they had initially left the hospital the two men left Krueger with his stepsister, saying they would have to get the others before they all met up at Mr Braun's place. Falco had been fast enough to give them the address and instructions on where to go in case they got lost, but they seemed to be a smart pair, the blonde man Armin,especially. As he pondered his day so far he saw the home of the Braun Family up ahead, and told the pair they'd arrived. "Hey we're here! Give me a moment..." Falco said as he knocked on the door and an older woman came to it, opening it enough to see her weary face. This must've been Reiner's mother or someone he knew.
"Yes?" The woman asked as she looked over the boy and then the two people behind him, a man and woman. The boy spoke to her then to explain himself "I'm in the warrior program along with Gabi, she told me this is Mr Braun's home. Is that correct?" The woman nodded and responded with a question of her own "Yes that's right. I take it your the boy she talks about giving her such trouble, Falco Glaus is it? Gabi's told me about you, but I'm not familiar with your friends?" Falco was about to speak when Mr Krueger shuffled closer with a slightly more formal tone than the boy was used to.
"Hello Ma'am, I'm Mr Krueger. We're sorry to show up unexpectedly but we're here to see your son. He's an old friend of me and my sisters, we served in the military together but we lost touch with each other over the years. Young Falco here helped me recoop when we all returned form the latest mission which unfortunately cost me my leg and eye." Krueger gestured to he stump of his left leg and tilted his head and Karina Braun felt sympathy for the soldier. She spoke to the man "I'm so sorry to hear about that, but I'm still confused on why your here?"
Krueger offered her a nod and replied "I understand ma'am, but I've heard from young Glaus here that your son's been a little off, stressed maybe. I know he had a hard time with being a warrior after the Paradise operation but I helped him get through it in his hard times. My family including my sister here has come to take me back home, but before I was discharged I wanted to meet Braun san one last time. I was hoping that maybe I could cheer him up, that seeing an old friend might do him some good."
Karina looked at the man and bowed her head "Yes my boy hasn't been the same from all those years on that island of devils. I...fear for him, he seemed...distant the other week when we all had dinner together. Maybe he does need someone like you to help him, a familiar face if you say you two served together?"
Krueger gave her a curt nod and responded "For a few years now, but over time we saw less of each other. I know he was the only one to return from Paradise, it must've been a hard time when I first met him, despite how he tried to keep focus." Karina offered a weary smile at that and looked down, speaking more to herself with a touch of pride in her voice before she looked back up to Krueger.
"That's my boy, always pushing himself to be better for the sake of others. I've always been proud of him for his endurance to see his goals through. I think what your suggesting might be very helpful Mr Krueger was it?" Karina asked Krueger to confirm his name for later, and he nodded and asked of her "I hope so, your son has helped me in the past alot. He's a big part of the reason I'm here now, so I couldn't just leave him to his own means if he is depressed or such. So if you would allow it, may my family and I see your son, in private perhaps? There may be some issues I know he would rather not trouble your ears with, along with a few classified things regarding a few of our military operations?"
Karina thought about it for a noment and told the disabled veteran "I'm very willing, however my son isn't home right now. He's out with my niece who's been training to become a warrior, for most of the day now. However I do think he will be home soon enough, so you and your family won't have to wait long. As for privacy, I think I might make a trip to the market myself while running some errands, it'll give you three some time to catch up on things. I do wish to thank you for this Mr Krueger, you seem like a good man for wanting to help my son once more."
Krueger gave the woman a polite bow of the head and a smile. "Thank you Ms Braun, I'm happy to hear that. And I'm sure your son will be as well. If it's not too much to ask, how long do you think you will be gone? I don't want it to seem like I'm intruding on your home-" but the woman cut him off with a light wave fo the hand. "Nonsense sir, your here to help my son, what kind of a mother would I be if I didn't allow that? I'll most likely be gone for a few hours, I may also make a stop at the Leonhardt's home. Poor man lost his daughter to those island devils years ago, same with the Hoover's with their son. I'm glad my son made it back, but I pity their families. Poor dears."
Krueger gave a slight twitch at the mention of the other two warrior families, one of which he's apart of now regarding his special blonde. In all honesty he felt like laughing at the older woman's words. 'Lost his daughter to the island devils? More like joined them before she even went there. She was the smart one.' Outwardly he kept that impulse to himself, butHe did give a false smile to the woman that may have been comforting and reassuring to her, but to Falco it seemed to be an odd sight to see. It must've been a smile akin to the jaws of his Titan, the same one that would be held when their plan finally unveiled. But the boy wouldn't know about that just yet, but soon.
Krueger has hopes for him to do the right thing.
"My thanks to you Ma'am once more. I promise your son will be...pleasantly surprised to see us. And your niece might enjoy him being around old friends once more, she can be allowed to stay. After all the girl is trying to gain the warrior status correct?" Krueger asked Karina nd she replied with a small swell of pride in his voice that disgusted Krueger although he did not show it.
"Yes, little Gabi is aiming for my son's power once his tenure comes, although I do wish it wouldn't come I know it's inevitable. He also claimed that he would be teaching Gabi everything she needs to know about the island people, what she will face there." At this Krueger and his sister's eyes narrowed slightly, but Falco was the only one to percieve such change since he'd been with the pair much longer than Mr Brauns mother has.
"Is that so? Well I'm curious to know just what he's told her, I don't want to seem useless here. After all dear Falco here tells me she has quite the spirit Figured I could give some tips, help her as well." Krueger said and ruffled the boys hair a bit, although Falco could tell something was different. He's been reassured, praised and thanked by the veteran, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease coming from Krueger's demeanor. He cleared his head, his was probably just over imagining things. After all these two were friends of Mr Brauns, so things must be fine.
"Ah your a good man, helping the next generation out, though I do think you would be more on young Glaus's side no?" Karina asked and Krueger gave a chuckle at that. "It's true I do favor the boy a little more, but everyone should have a fair chance to achieve their goals. And even if he doesn't get chosen, I'm telling you what I told him. I'll still root for the guy, he's earned it, and I'm sure your niece has too. I look forward to meeting her when I see Reiner once more." Falco visibly swelled at the praise and felt the tingle of unease before leave him, he had been over thinking things. Krueger was a good am, and so far his sister and family had shown that from the short time he saw then today.
"Well let me just shut off the tea and I'll leave you three to wait for my son in the living room or the kitchen. Once again thank you." Karina told the trio and went into her kitchen while inviting the two adults and the young warrior trainee inside. "Please make yourselves at home, it shouldn't be too long now. There's tea on the stove if you wish to have a drink, I'm leaving one for Reiner now. My poor son is under such stress." Krueger walked after Falco took the lead, making sure to give the veteran space for his crutch to be used effectively.
His sister quiet as he had seen at the hospital shut the door behind them all but left it unlocked as she saw Ms Braun gathering up a purse and a head scarf. Krueger looked in an amused way towards his sister and Falco noticed she too had a scarf, faded with age but still a vibrant red, almost like blood. Falco wasn't sure what the significance of it was, it must've been an inside joke or secret to the pair. But he did see the woman clutch it closer to her with one hand before dropping it and rolling her eyes at me Krueger.
"I'll be leaving now, if anyone asks just tell them I'm shopping at the market place, and have young Falco there answer the door. I'm sure they wouldn't be as...Catious as they would you Mr Krueger, after all you wish to surprise to my son. I'd hate to see you being taken home over a trivial misunderstanding." Karina offered as she neared the door and Krueger nodded once more at her politeness. "I think that would be best, thank you once more Ms Braun." The woman bowed and closed the door behind her, leaving the three people alone in Reiner's home. Krueger pulled a chair over into the living area and sat down on it, his crutch held once more in for the of him. His sister sat near the kitchen though to anyone walking in she wouldnt have been seen unless she announced herself. Falco thought that was an odd place to sit consider he and Mr Krueger were in plain view, but the man gestured for the boy to come closer.
"You remember how we said this would go? You have to answer the door so we can surprise Reiner, otherwise it'll loosen the effect. And we don't want that happening right?" Falco nodded at his inquiring, and Krueger gave the boy a smile. "Good job kid, your really helping us out, and I know Reiner will let you know that too. Again good job Falco. Let's take a rest for now, Jean and Armin should be back soon with the others." Falco caught those two names and asked "Are those the men who I met earlier? The ones you said are like your brothers?" Kruger nodded and explained.
"Jean is the fellow I called horse face me and him used to get into a lot of fights back in our training days, Reiner helped break that up from time to time. I also used to fight with him cause he was real fond of my sister" he said looking over at said girl and Falco saw the girl's face redden slightly before she scowled at her brother. "Er- that's enough. You know things aren't that way anymore. We all got past that remember?" Krueger held his hands up in a deafeated sort of acceptance, chuckling lightly at her before facing Falco once more.
"Armin was the blonde one, he's always been the smartest of us. He wasn't always the strongest, but he pulled through for his comrades. He's been with me since I was a kid, even younger than you. Always had dreams of seeing the world, and after enough pain and suffering, he finally did. Truth be told he had us eliminate a group of enemies with only one round each in our rifles, right Mikasa?" The girls eyes widened by the bold approach but she smoothly hid it beneath her scarf and jacket. "That's right, if Armin hadn't come up with the plans back then we all would've died that day."
"Where did you guys fight? How bad was it?" Both the older people eyes widened a bit, not expecting to have been questioned by the boys curiosity. Krueger deliberated for a moment, before allowing him a cryptic answer. "Let's just at that day and the place was complete hell, we sure weren't expecting it to be that bad, nor to happen at all really. But that's all I can say, classified" Krueger finished as he tapped the side of his head with his finger and Falco understood, he knew that punishment for giving classified information was very brutal, the worst being bombardment or sentenced to Paradise island. Though given the current state of things, he's only seen those accused of treasonous thoughts be used for bombardment. Apparently the situation on the devil island was bad, no ships have returned for quite a while. It was a part of the reason he and the other warriors were being chosen for the retake operation, besides the older warriors tenure finally coming.
"I understand Mr Krueger, I won't ask about it. I know Gabi said something similar with Braun san, he has a hard time talking about it all. Remembering it." Falco sighed but was caught off guard when both adults gazed at him intently. Krueger asked him "Is that so?" The boy nodded nervously and Krueger sat back in his chair and merely cocked his head in thought. "Well I'll guess we'll just have to wait and see when he arrives. Because we will have a good chat about the past up to now. After all it's been a few years." Falco swallowed at the man's change in demeanor from pressing for answers to having the air of a person bidding their time. He didn't speak much for the remainder of the time, and neither did his sister.
About a half hour later the door received a knock, and Krueger nodded to Falco to answer it. Falco looked and saw the man of the hour along with Gabi, carrying a small bag, probably a gift of some sort fro the happy look on her face. He turned and gave a thumbs up to the pair and Krueger nodded to open the door.
Reiner was finally home after a long day of spending town with Gabi, and he was glad to know she was happy with that shit eating grin on her face as she clutched her gift bag tight to he body. He chuckled 'Ah good girl. Maybe it'll help her accept everything I'll tell her tonight, it's finally time.' For the past week he's been trying to decide what time was the best to confess the truth to Gabi, although he had been somewhat hinting at the true nature of Paradise Island, but never backing those claims. Not just yet, he would always tell himself as he subtly held back from telling Gabi the that there were no devils in the world except for people who terrorize others, like how Marley does to her and his people. He was waiting to hear his mother call out to him, but he wasn't expecting to see Falco open the door with a smile on his face. Reiner brow furrowed in confusion and Gabi's did as well. "Falco, why are you doing here?" Reiner asked and Gabi wondered "Where's Aunt Karina? Is she asleep or inside?"
The boy shook his head and told them both "She's not home right now but we met her earlier. She's going shopping and then to visit the Hoover's and Leonardts, she said shell return in a few hours." Reiner was the first to catch what Falco said, "we met her", and he voices it to the boy. "You said We, who else is here?" Falco looked cited a she began to lead the pair inside "It's your friends!" Reiner frowned, friends? Did he perhaps mean Porco or Pieck, or even Zeke? Out of those three only Pieck would be considered his friend because of how she was, how she treated him. Who was Falco referring to-
Reiner stopped mid-thought as he heard the door close behind him as he entered the living area and saw a man with a crutch and missing a leg and eye sitting in a chair. Behind him he saw a woman with dark hair in a jacket, hiding her face with wait...A red scarf? Reiner's eyes widened as he looked further and saw a pair of cold grey eyes looking at him with a threat behind them, but the person they belonged to seemed to be watching him, waiting for a reaction. Reiner turned to face the man in the chair who saw up, and under the long hair Reiner could see an eye, a familiar emerald green eye. His mouth dropped as he heard the door lock and Gabi looked up to him in confusion. "What's wrong Reiner? Falco said their your friends, aren't they?" Reiner didn't say anything as the man began to speak, and he heard that familiar voice, one he's heard angrily shout for freedom, for the eradication of the Titans, a voice that called for his death so many time since his nightmares, a voice that he once associated with Brother.
"Hello Reiner, it's been 4 years...I'm glad you could make it back to your hometown."
Reiner could only say one word, he name of the man before him, who will either be friend or for, although he hopes for the former once he confesses everything now.
"Eren."