The Wings Of Our Dreams
AN: And here comes another chapter, my dear readers. Hope you enjoy!
Now to reviews.
RememberShiganshina: Well, I had to deal with it somehow. And yeah, it was definitely fitting.
Yoyon586: Means I'm doing my job well.
Drcaus: You'll have to read and see.
Lachlan: Sorry, but I don't think I'll end up making one. The best I could do is to find out more about it in later chapters.
Alph4Scorpion180: Glad you enjoyed it. And I hope to you get to publish your idea. I'm interested to see how that turns out.
Morrowing: Thank you for all your praise. To address some of your points, true, men having long hair isn't most common there, but it doesn't mean there aren't any. Besides, Grisha had long hair, and Collin's shouldn't be that much longer than his. As for long hair being a hazard to ODM gear, that's more than likely just Eren being paranoid. I mean, none of the superior officers told anything to Mikasa or Krista for having long hair. Not to mention the gear mostly operates from the waist, so I don't think shoulder-length hair would be a problem. Still, pretty minor points, but I thought I should address them. And thanks again for the praise.
16 What Are Friends For?
Year 850
Forty-eighth entry
…and then Eren emerged from the Titan's nape, completely unharmed. I have no words to describe the shock I felt. He was dead for all we knew, eaten by a Titan, and now suddenly he's back? What am I supposed to make of that exactly?
Well, all that shock aside, me and Reiner helped carry him to the Wall since he was unconscious. We were met by captain Kitz Woermann who demanded we leave a report, so we ended up telling him everything. I feel like that was a mistake. He demanded all of us leave, and only Mikasa and Armin stayed.
Man, and just this morning I thought that little party fiasco would be the worst thing that happened to me today.
"For God's sake, will you please stop scribbling in that thing?" Jean said as he rubbed his temples.
Collin took his eyes off his journal and looked annoyingly at Jean. "Ya never miss an opportunity to be an ass, don't ya?"
"Ugh, with all this silence that writing of yours is louder than it should be," Jean complained. "It's honestly driving me nuts."
Scoffing, Collin put the journal and pencil in his pocket before turning to Reiner. "Remind me to add 'Jean's also really annoyin' as usual' later."
"Noted," Reiner said as he put his arms on the table.
After having to leave Eren, Armin, and Mikasa, the rest of them were now sitting together at one of the tables located at a military outpost near the Wall, though, unlike the rest, Annie preferred to stand. The rest of the surviving cadets were also there, all trying to recover from their horrific experience.
After the gag order was issued on them, the group of five decided to keep to themselves for a little while. Though unfortunately, that got some awkward silence as a result.
Collin tapped his finger on the table before sighing. He took a look around to see if there was anybody within hearing distance and finding nobody, he spoke. "So, Eren's a Titan." Collin softly chuckled. "Man, if that ain't some irony, I dunno what is."
"Collin," Bertholdt hushedly said as he leaned forward. "You're not supposed to talk about... you know."
"Correction, I ain't s'posed to say it to everyone else," Collin said, lightly gesturing to the group away from them. "Think it's fine between us. An' don't gimme that they'll overhear, I made sure no one would."
"We can discuss the irony of it some other time," Reiner said as he crossed his arms. "Right now we don't need to risk our necks talking about it."
"Fine, fine," Collin said dejectedly as he leaned back into his seat. "God damn, we've been through hell today."
"Yeah, we figured that one out already," Jean said before looking away.
"Somethin' botherin' ya?" Collin asked.
"It's nothing, I just…" Jean said as he lightly chewed on his lip. "I just hope my mom was able to evacuate."
Collin's gaze immediately softened. "I'm sure she did. Your ma lives closer to the inner gates, correct?" Jean nodded. "Considerin' that most civilians were evacuated, I'm sure that she was among 'em."
Jean couldn't help but let out a small smile. "That's… actually somewhat comforting."
"Well, I'll take 'somewhat' over not at all," Collin commented. "Ya know, there was this girl I met when I was very little. Her name was Ima."
Reiner raised an eyebrow. "Are you talking about an old crush?"
"Well, I did think she was pretty cute, but that ain't the point. The girl seemed somewhat depressed, and I was able to cheer her up with a little ball game. However, she told me that she would have to leave, and I pro'ly wouldn't see her again."
"And why are you bringing this up now, if I may ask?"
Collin took a look at the part of the Wall behind which Trost lay. "Because she told me she was from Wall Rose. And considerin' where her and her folks were payin' a visit, it's most likely she was from Trost as well. I was hopin' to meet her again, she seemed like a good person. I wonder if she was able to evacuate."
"Collin, I don't want to sound like a downer," Reiner said. "But I think you may consider the possibility that she died even before this."
"And what makes ya say that, exactly?"
"Simple fact that she told you that you wouldn't see her again, and that visits to other districts aren't exactly hard. And you also said that she looked depressed when you saw her. I think that she was probably diagnosed with some sort of deadly condition, and she was sad because she knew that was it for her."
"Whoa there, Reiner! Dontcha think that's goin' a bit too far?" Collin asked as he brought his hands up.
Reiner shrugged. "I'm not saying that's the case. I'm only offering my thoughts. I don't really see too many other reasons why she would tell you'd never see her again. I know it's a depressing thought…"
"Ya think?" Collin said unimpressed.
"…but I'm just saying you should consider the options put in front of you. Even if they aren't pleasant."
"Well, it may not even be that," Bertholdt offered. "She could just have strict parents."
"God, I hope that's the case," Collin said as he rubbed his eyes. "I really don't need any more depressin' thoughts today."
"Hey, you guys!" Ymir called from a small distance away. "Is Mikasa alright?! Why are you all so glum over there?!"
Collin sighed. "Sorry, can't say anythin'! Orders from Captain Woermann!"
This got him a raised eyebrow from the tanned girl who turned back to Connie and Krista.
Jean scoffed amusingly before taking a drink from a water skin. "They're idiots if they think they can keep something like that hidden. The moment people start talking it's gonna spread faster than wildfire."
"I'm honestly worried what they might do," Reiner said. "To say the situation is unprecedented is an understatement."
"Maybe they'll see the merit in the situation," Collin said. "I mean, look at how effective it turned out to be."
"If only. You saw how scared they looked when we brought Eren back. I have a feeling they may do something brash about it."
Collin sighed. "Wouldn't put it past 'em. They looked jittery as hell." He took a drink from his water skin to satiate his dry throat. Wiping his lips, Collin rose and turned to Annie. "Now if ya, excuse me, I need to deal with my relationship issues."
"Don't let us stop you," Reiner said with a nod.
Walking over to Annie, Collin noticed she didn't really change her position all that much from when they arrived. Or said anything for that matter, though that was nothing new with her.
"Hey, hun. You alright?" Collin asked.
Annie's bright blue eyes turned to him. "Physically, I'm fine. Mentally though," she said before sighing. "I don't think I'm that much better than you."
Collin scratched his head. "Yeah, figured. Say, where were ya last night? Ya weren't at that table, and I couldn't find ya in the mornin'."
Annie's eyes drifted to the side for a bit before looking at him again. "I'm sorry about that. But I honestly couldn't handle all the attention from yesterday."
"Really?" Collin said with a chuckle. "The mighty Annie Leonhart, beaten by a bit more attention?"
"I don't like it, and that's that," she said before looking away.
"Yeah, I get that. I'm only messin' around," Collin said before he gently grabbed her by the shoulders. "Annie, I'm happy that you were able to survive."
She gave him a small smile before her lips morphed back into a thin line, though there was no intensity on her face anymore. "We're not done yet. The threat of the Titans is still present."
"I know. But dyin' without bein' able to see ya again, it honestly pains me just to think about it. I'm glad I'm actually able to talk to you after all of that."
Even Annie couldn't stop her cheeks from becoming red-tinted. "Well, if I'm being honest-"
A loud bang could be heard in the distance, making Collin and Annie jolt in surprise, with Jean, Bertholdt, and Reiner quickly rising from their seating positions.
"Cannon fire?" Reiner wondered.
"Yeah, but why just one shot?" Jean said as they turned in the direction of the loud noise.
"Look, there's smoke inside the Wall!" one of the cadets shouted.
The group of five quickly gathered to see a huge pillar of smoke coming from several blocks away from their position.
Cadets also brought their attention to the smoke as panic slowly began setting in.
"Did they bust through the wall?"
"Was it a misfire?"
"Why is there so much smoke?"
Collin's eyes narrowed while Reiner grit his teeth and began to sweat. Looks like the captain still ended up firing on Eren.
"Is that… Titan steam?" Jean asked.
Reiner took out the trigger mechanism before firing a cable at the nearby building. Seeing that, Collin almost immediately repeated that notion as the two zipped upwards. Bertholdt and Annie soon joined with Jean being the last as he got out of his daze.
Thanks to their gear, the five of them zipped over to the site in seconds as they positioned themselves on one of the rooftops that gave them a good view of the area below.
"What the hell?" Reiner said as the group looked down with wide eyes.
Surrounded by the Garrison troops behind the cloud of smoke was indeed something that resembled Eren's Titan form, though the best indicator for that were the strangely positioned teeth. The Titan itself was only the upper half of its skeleton with only some red flesh covering a part of the chest, neck, and half it the left arm that was outstretched in the air.
The Titan's head then began to twitch as it attempted to move to the side.
"Is that really Eren's Titan?" Jean asked.
"Yeah, I can tell," Collin said. "Though it looks like it ain't all there."
Reiner frowned slightly. "Not now, Collin. But... at least he's alive," he said with a small sigh of relief. "And I bet Armin and Mikasa are down there."
"Man, if only there weren't so much smoke," Collin complained as he tried to make out some details below Eren's Titan.
"Hurry, reload the cannons and have them on standby!" came captain Woermann's voice from below.
Collin couldn't help but grit his teeth. "Well, doesn't he have lungs?" 'And apparently, that's all he has.'
Bertholdt turned to Reiner. "What do we do?"
The tall blond frowned. "What can we do? Go down there and ask them to stop?"
Steam then erupted from the partially formed Titan's nape, with Eren emerging from it and struggling a bit to disconnect himself from the flesh strands that connected him to the giant body.
"Well, at least he's fine," Jean commented as they watched Eren descend from the nape.
"The smoke's clearing!"
"If anything moves prepare to shoot!"
Collin grumbled as he watched the Garrison soldiers slowly lose their wits. "I'm gettin' closer," he said before lightly hopping on the lower part of the rooftop.
"Hey, wait," Reiner said before following him along with the others as they walked along the side of the rooftop until they were practically right above Woermann and the soldiers next to him.
Eren's Titan then began cracking apart, with the head falling on the ground and gathering a huge amount of dust.
"All troops await my signal!" Woermann shouted.
Several clanks were heard as somebody ran out of the smoke, getting the soldiers on edge with the five cadets looking anticipantly. The person was revealed to be ungeared Armin who halted and raised his hands.
"Is this supposed to be your true form monster?!" Woermann demanded. "I don't buy it! I'll give the signal to fire, I mean it!"
Collin blinked. 'The hell's this guy talkin' about?' He knew the man was frightened, but this was just plain nonsense.
"Eren is not a foe of humanity!" Armin said determinedly. "We're willing to operate with military command and share everything we've learned about his powers!"
Woermann was undeterred. "Your pleas fall on deaf ears! He revealed his true form and for that, he cannot leave here alive! If you insist he's not an enemy then show me proof otherwise we'll blast him from whatever hole he's crawled out of!"
The group tensed as they heard the Garrison captain speak those words. Collin's hands went to the trigger handles, which didn't go unnoticed as Reiner grabbed his hand and gave a negative shake of the head.
"Keep yourself in check," Reiner said. "You can't just go there."
"You don't need any proof!" Armin exclaimed. "What we perceive him to be doesn't matter! The reports say hundreds of soldiers saw him! They said they saw him fighting other Titans! They saw him swarmed by the Titans, meaning they saw him as their prey just like any human! That's an irrefutable fact no matter how anyone wants to look at it!"
Things were silent for several moments after Armin finished. What he said seemed to put some soldiers at ease, some even slowly lowering their weapons.
The five cadets were also put more at ease.
"Man, sometimes I forget how reasonable Armin can be," Jean said with a small smile.
"Prepare to attack!" Woermann suddenly shouted making everyone look in shock.
"Oh, you gotta be kiddin' me," Collin said as he glared at the captain.
"Do not be deceived by his cunning lies! The Titans' behavior has always been beyond our comprehension! I wouldn't put past it to assume human form! A-and he's speaking our language… in an attempt to deceive us!"
Collin grumbled under his breath as he saw the soldiers once again readying their weapons. "That's it!" he exclaimed before jumping down, not even bothering to use his gear.
"Wha- No, Collin, wait!" Reiner said in sudden surprise.
"I refuse to let this behavior-!"
"Don't ya dare!" Collin interrupted Woermann's rambling as soon as he landed on the ground.
Several soldiers gasped before turning back, even Woermann looked shocked to see a cadet suddenly pop up behind him.
The captain resumed his shouting. "What the hell do you think you're doing here, recruit?! You were ordered to wait with the others!"
"'Scuse me, Cap'n, but when ya start shootin' at my comrades I feel the need to get involved!" Collin said as approached closer.
Armin looked utterly flabbergasted at the sudden arrival. 'Collin? What are you doing?'
The silver-haired woman next to Woermann then spoke. "Cadet, this doesn't concern you. You were given orders to keep out of this. Your presence here is a-"
"Yeah, I got the gist of it," Collin interrupted before again addressing Woermann. "I don't know what you're smokin' to get ya more jittery than a newborn kitten, but what Armin says is true. We saw Eren fightin' other Titans and killin' 'em!"
The captain's face tensed immensely. "I don't know who you think you are to talk to me like that! That boy over there is Titan, and I'll kill him before he devours us all!"
"Are ya deaf or somethin'?!" Collin asked. "I told ya he ain't a threat! He saved our lives, and risked his own while doin' it! What more proof do ya need?!"
The silver-haired woman frowned. "Cadet! Your tone is unbecoming of a soldier! You should address your superiors with proper respect!"
"Thanks," Collin said through his teeth. "When I meet 'em I'll be sure to remember that."
Woermann and the woman gasped at his response, and even the soldiers around him couldn't believe what they were hearing.
The captain frowned deeply. "What did you just say, you little punk?!"
"Wait, sir!" Reiner said as he quickly zipped down and ran over. "Please, listen! We're just… We're still shocked after everything that happened. My friend here just-"
"Don't bother, Reiner!" Collin interrupted. "I ain't lettin' this coward here push us around! Eren saved our lives! We owe it to 'im! How could ya even think of lettin' him die by some paranoid moron?!"
Captain Woermann's hands shook before he curled them into fists. "That's it! I won't let you talk to me like that! Once I deal with the Titan I'll deal with-"
Woermann stopped when Collin's glare was once again on him. Those brown eyes seemed to shine silver as they bore holes into his skull. It honestly looked like the same glare the Ackerman girl had before, but seeing it up-close was definitely a different experience.
Reiner couldn't help but nervously sweat as he looked at his friend talk to his superior officers with such a tone. He then grabbed Collin by the arm. "Collin, listen, we need to-" Collin simply wrenched his hand out of the grip.
"Let me ask ya one simple thing, captain," Collin said with an edge in his voice. "Where were you?"
Blinking to try and ignore the effect of the glare, Woermann spoke. "Wh-what… What are you talking about?"
"You were in charge of the support group, meant to lead your troops in helpin' us. We didn't see ya at HQ where you were assigned. So tell me, where exactly were ya while we were bein' devoured by Titans?"
Woermann had a drop of sweat flowing down his head. He then composed himself as his brows furrowed. "Silence! The command needed me to rally the troops! I will not be questioned by a cadet!"
"That right?! Of all the captains they had at their disposal they needed you, one that they assigned elsewhere?!"
"I don't need to excuse myself to you! Now shut up before I charge you with treason!"
"Treason?!" Collin said as his fist cracked. "The hell are you to speak of treason?! We fought and bled out there while you hid behind the Walls! I saw my comrades die and beg for their lives before the Titans ate them, all while we were powerless to do anythin'! And this 'Titan' you wanna kill helped many of us survive! In fact, he was doin' humanity a service, while ya ran with your tail tucked between your legs, oh honorable captain!
"So tell me, who's the real traitor in this situation?! This 'Titan' who helped us, or the spineless coward standin' in front of me?!"
Woernmann's eyes trembled as he seethed with rage. "I've had enough!" He then reached for one of his swords, with Collin instinctively reaching for his. "You dare speak to your superior officer-!"
"EVERYONE PLEASE LISTEN!" Armin shouted on top of his lungs, getting everyone's attention. "The Titan threat is still upon us! We won't achieve anything by fighting amongst each other! But with Eren we have a shot! We can use his abilities along with the manpower we have left to repel the Titans!" He then brought his hands in the soldier salute. "As a soldier, I'm willing to give my life for this! And on the very heart I've dedicated to the protection of humanity, I'll advocate Eren Yeager's strategic value!"
Woermann looked at Armin who stood determined before looking back at Collin who was ready to take action while Reiner was still very nervous behind him, actually biting his own lip.
"Captain," another officer said. "I think… that we should at least consider what he has to-"
"Quiet!" Woermann interrupted and unsheathed one of the blades. "They're traitors, all of them! As an officer of the Garrison, I order you-!"
"You'll do nothing, Captain Woermann!"
An elderly but strong voice stopped him from issuing the orders. Right behind them, accompanied by a battalion of Garrison soldiers was none other than Dot Pixis, the commander of the Garrison.
"C-commander Pixis," Woermann stammered. "When did you get here?"
"I was here a little while," Pixis answered before looking at Collin. "I saw this young man confront you and decided to wait to see how things turned out. And I see that your nervous disposition has gotten the better of you."
"Uh, forgive me, commander," Woermann said. "But this cadet-"
"Yes, I've heard it all, or at least most of it," Pixis interrupted as he approached. "And while Cadet Holt may have spoken out of line, he did have a point. I'll have to see the reports where you were issued an order to leave your post in Trost."
Woermann flinched before looking away.
"Besides, don't you see the loyalty and determination these two cadets have shown," Pixis said while sparing a glance at both Armin and Collin, with the former looking incredibly relieved. The old commander then smiled. "I think we should at least hear what they have to say."
Reiner let out a sigh before rubbing his head while Collin gave a smile of his own.
"Oh, and all of Cadet Holt's transgressions against you have been excused. He has obviously suffered a lot this day so forgive him for losing his composure."
"As you command," Woermann grumbled out as he glared at Collin who couldn't help but smirk.
The tall brunette then looked down at Armin, Mikasa, and Eren, who were now visible since the smoke cleared, and gave them a thumbs up. Eren gave a smile and a nod while Armin gave a weak thumbs-up back, and Mikasa looked grateful.
"Also," Pixis spoke to Collin. "You will join me along with Yeager and his two companions on top of the Wall within an hour. I have something to tell you."
"Understood, Commander," Collin spoke with a salute of his own.
Pixis nodded before turning away.
"Hey, uh, Commander," Collin called out. "Once more thing."
Pixis stopped and looked back. "What is it, young man?"
"Can you… excuse me for just one more thing?" Collin asked.
"Oh? And what would that be?" Pixis asked with a curious eyebrow.
"Just one thing, Commander. And that's it. Please."
Pixis hummed to himself, thinking over what Collin was proposing. The young man kept his intentions purposefully vague, and he probably shouldn't approve of this. But he decided to relent. "Very well, cadet."
Collin grinned. "Thanks." And then to everyone's shock, he curled his fist, made a quick turn, and struck Woermann right in the face, making the Garrison captain grunt as the force knocked him down. "There. Done."
Woermann growled as he held his pulsing cheek before quickly rising. "How dare you?! I'll have you-!"
"Enough, Captain!" Pixis interrupted. "I already said he will be excused. It's my fault for not pressing him to elaborate further." He then raised his hand as he saw Woermann about to protest. "I'll hear no more of this, so drop it."
Collin again smirked at the glaring captain before taking his leave along with Reiner.
After a little while, the five of them were nearly back to their previous station, the events still etched firmly in their minds.
"Well," Collin said. "All's well that ends- hurrrmh!"
Reiner grabbed Collin by his jacket and pushed him into the wall of the house next to them.
"What the hell were you thinking?!" Reiner exclaimed with a frustrated look on his face that totally caught Collin off guard. "I knew you were reckless, but I… I don't even need to tell you that what you just did was beyond stupid!"
"R-Reiner," Bertholdt stuttered while holding his hand out. "Wait, calm down."
"Calm down?!" Reiner exclaimed making Bertholdt flinch and sweat. "This idiot almost got himself killed out there! Even if he didn't he would have been put in the slammer for treason!"
Collin shook off his surprise. "The hell didya expect me to do? Stand there while our friend gets blasted to smithereens?"
"You're supposed to approach this with a calm mind. Use your head. You're not supposed to act how you wish and hope luck saves you! And trust me, you were incredibly lucky back there! You are a soldier, act like one!"
"So that's how I'm s'posed to act? Just blindly follow orders like a dog?!" Collin asked before grabbing Reiner's hands and tearing them away from him. "That captain over there wasn't a soldier! He's a coward that would get rid of good people to save his own sorry ass!"
"And you think what you did was a good way of going about it?! Threaten him and possibly beat him, after which you would just add yourself to the body count?! You think that's the way to go about it?!"
"I may be a soldier, but I'm also a friend! I would do the same thing for you, for Bertholdt, for Annie, any of our comrades! I'd give my life for you all!" Collin exclaimed. "I already have a debt I'll never be able to repay! I won't have another one!"
Reiner flinched at those words, his eyes slightly wide. Then his frustrated look came back, and golden eyes stared intently into brown ones and vice versa.
After several long moments, Reiner broke the stare and turned. "The commander requested your presence. It'd be rude to keep him waiting."
Reiner then walked past Collin, no further words spoken between them. Bertholdt looked between Reiner and Collin before going after the tall blond.
"Hey, for what it's worth," Jean spoke to Collin. "I'm at least glad that everyone was able to get out this alive."
Collin nodded. "Yeah, me too."
Jean nodded before departing as well, leaving Collin alone with Annie.
Looking at the short girl, who only gave him her stoic stare, Collin tried to find the right words, but they weren't really easy to come by.
"So, uh…" Collin tried to speak as he rubbed the back of his head. "Are ya-?"
The very next second, Collin found himself face-first against the stone road, with his arm pulled back as it was twisted in Annie's hold, making him groan.
"You really are an idiot, putting your life on the line like that," she said in a low chilling tone. "I already suffered worrying about you being safe. And now you're putting me through it again?"
Collin moaned in pain as his arm was twisted further. "S-sorry 'bout that… but I couldn't just… stand back. As I said… I would've done… the same for you."
"Yes, you would," she said before letting go of Collin's arm. "Why can't you just be more selfish?"
Collin rose and gave his arm a stretch. "'Cause that ain't how I was raised. Simple as that. And bondin' with y'all made sure I'd never willingly abandon anybody," he explained. "And I'm… sorry for makin' ya worry. Again."
Annie stared at him for several moments with Collin looking at her, hoping to get some sort of reaction from her.
She then grabbed him by his black shirt, and pulled him, to which he more than obliged as she kissed him on the lips for a brief second.
"You're very lucky I like you," she said before turning away. "Good luck, Collin."
Collin smiled. "Thanks, hun."
She gave him one of her barely smiles before she turned and went to join the other cadets.
Slumping against the wall, willingly this time, Collin let out a deep sigh of relief. "Wow. I really am the luckiest son of a bitch in the world."
"Ah, you're here," Pixis said as he saw Collin approach. "You came a bit earlier than expected I admit."
Collin shrugged. "Well, why keep ya waitin'?
Pixis chuckled. "Aren't you a polite one?"
"Hey, Collin," Armin said. "Thank you for standing up for us."
"Hey, what're friends for?" Collin said with a large smile. "'Sides, what kind of ungrateful bastard would I be if I didn't after everythin' you three did for us?"
Armin let out a blush at that while Mikasa and Eren smiled. "Uh, t-thanks," Armin said.
"You know, Cadet Holt," Pixis spoke. "I honestly missed your cooking since that exercise at Trost. You think you might treat me another time?"
"Well, uh. I might if I have the time," Collin said. "You pretty much saved my hide, so it's the least I could do."
"Glad to hear it," Pixis said with a nod. "Also, there is one other thing." He then brought his hands from his back, and held out a small brown package to Collin. "Someone wants you to have this."
Collin blinked in confusion at the sudden development. Whatever he came to expect today, getting a gift from Commander Pixis wasn't one of them. "Um, thank you," he said before taking the package.
Pixis smiled. "You're most welcome," he said. "Now what are you waiting for? Open it."
Obliging, Collin undid the strings holding the package together before unraveling the wrappings. He then held a soldier uniform in his hand, with the symbol of the Scouts on the back, the Wings of Freedom. Though the unusual thing about it was the uniform was almost literally half his size.
Collin looked at it curiously for several moments before his eyes widened.
"Uh, Commander," Eren called. "I think that's a bit too small for him."
Pixis chuckled. "That's not the point, young Yeager."
"This… Where did ya get this?" Collin asked as he looked at the uniform in shock.
"Oh, your grandfather gave it to me," Pixis said making Collin's head immediately snap in his direction. "He told me to give it to you the next time I saw you."
"He told you to…" Collin once again glanced at the uniform before looking back at Pixis. "My gramps is… alive?" he shakingly asked, with the three cadets from Shiganshina also sharing a bit of his shock.
Pixis nodded. "Yes, he is. While your village was attacked, he was helped by someone who procured them a horse. The man's name was Frank, I believe."
Collin let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. It took a lot of his willpower not to shed a tear as he looked at the small uniform. "Commander I… I don't know what to say."
"Then don't say anything yet. You'll have your time once we finish our mission."
"Um, I'm sorry for asking but," Armin said. "What's with the uniform?"
"This was my gramps' gift to me on my ninth birthday," Collin answered as his hands trembled with the jacket in hand. "He called a favor to one of the soldiers and had this made for me."
Armin stared wide-eyed at that, with Eren and Mikasa also looking surprised while Collin smiled at the gift.
Ferris Holt was alive, and Collin felt happier than he did in a long time.
AN: And that is it for now, my dear readers! We have Collin almost getting himself executed, but our excentric commander was able to arrive just in time to prevent it. And good news for Collin, his grandfather is alive! We'll be seeing more of him some time in the future.
I implore you all to check out my other stories. Trust me, they are worth it. And leave a review, they are great motivators.
See ya next time!
