A Battle to Return home.

They had reached the wall far more abruptly than Lily had anticipated. The wall was only spotted when they had practically arrived at the base of it, the darkness of night making it near impossible to spot the wall at a distance, as it seemed to camouflage itself to the terrain. Their horses seemed agitated as they stalled at the wall, snorting and pawing at the dirt anxiously. Lily's lips pressed themselves into a thin line, feeling their horses' anxiousness seep into her form.

"Tim, jump up the wall, see if you can find anyone and ask for directions to assistance." Lily's golden gaze snapped over to the blonde man's direction, the younger man nodding his head as his wires whirred from their home, latching onto the wall before his form zoomed out of sight. "Rest of you in ODM pull security. Those without gear or injured, stay mounted."

At her words the survivors spurred into action. Trading her horse with another survivor, Lily latched onto the wall, finding her higher purchase enabling her more of a vantage as she watched the surrounding area with a glare.

The sound of scraping caused many to startle, until Timothy's lanky frame came into view, his body sliding down the wall as his gear slowed his descent. He pauses by Lily, his blue eyes almost navy in the dark night.

"They're all ready with lifts just further along the wall." Timothy gestured northward as he sucked in a breath. His eyes darted at shadows. "They've mentioned the titans by the gates have begun to lose interest and head east towards us, we should move now."

"Alright, those of us with gear will move on ahead of the horses, be mindful of your surroundings, let's not waste anymore time. Move out!" Lily detached her anchors, letting her body free fall before launching the anchors again and swinging her body into action.

Air whipped past her face, causing her light strawberry blonde hair to flail behind her, her form moved effortlessly as she swung alongside the wall, her eyes darting around as she searched for titan threats.

"I've eyes on the elevators!" A voice shouted out, Joshua whizzed by, pausing at the side of the elevator as he waved them over.

"By the walls, I wasn't actually expecting so many!" A new voice called out. The form of a garrison soldier finally came into Lily's view. His form standing at the foot of the elevator as he gestured towards the injured. "We would've gotten more elevators had we known. Let's get these wounded soldiers loaded then!"

Several soldiers and survivors alike swiftly assisted the wounded into the elevator. The stark realisation that more than one trip would be needed became apparent and Lily felt a stone drop in her stomach as an icy prickle ran down her spine. She glanced towards the front of Trost, her eyes narrowing against the pitch darkness.

The elevator couldn't have gone any slower, each second that ticked by felt like a minute as those left behind protecting the remaining survivors waited with bated breath. Fingers on triggers as their heads swiveled in their surveying of the area around them.

"Fuck, I hate darkness. At least the underground was permanently lit up like a damn festival." Timothy hissed, his anxiousness leading way to aggravation as he shifted besides Lily.

"Pain in the ass, that's what it is." Lily echoed, her brows furrowed as she scowled. "The waiting is worse, it feels like every moment that passes, I'm closer to death's door."

"Well, you two are awfully cheerful. We made it to the wall at least?" Joshua interjected, his tone weary as his statement sounded more like a question.

"We can celebrate when everyone's safely inside of it." Lily hissed, her hands tightening its grip upon her handles, feet shifting as she leaned hunched upon the side of the wall.

Lena arrived to their west, her appearance disheveled as she frantically waved for their attention. "Titans! Several of them are coming this way!"

"Shit."

Lily sprung into action, her eyes scanning the surroundings as her body coiled itself like a snake at the ready. "Protect the injured!"

The first titan broke through the pitch of night, its emaciated form making it look even more ghastly in the dim light provided from the moon. It seemed slower than usual, however two thirteen meter titans followed behind the boney twelve meter. And just below their shambling forms were some spirited four meter titans, seemingly the most energetic of the group.

"Tim, Josh. Take the thirteen meter titans, I'll handle the twelve meter. Once we handle them we take on that lively pair down below." The two men nodded their heads and without further prompting, the trio spurred into action. Lily's form moved lithely past the grasping limbs of the larger titans, weary of the their snapping jaws as she propelled her form towards the corner of its nape, flinging her form around its neck, over its shoulder as her spinning blades made short work of the boney titan's flesh.

The first thirteen meter titan and the twelve meter titan tumbled to the floor below with a thud, however Timothy seemed to struggle with his charge, the large titan kept knocking his wires out, causing Timothy to constantly counter-balance himself against the jarring tugs. Joshua swung by, his blades biting into the titans flesh as he disabled its limbs, allowing Timothy an opening to carve its nape.

Lily trusted her brothers to handle the titan as she free fell towards the ground. She distantly noted only one tiny titan was below her, however she opted to continue her striking maneuver. Her arms swung back, one blade spun itself backwards as she felt her body tense up at the ready.

The agonising pain in her left leg and sudden stop of her body's motion had all the breath in her form leave her at once, her name being called was vaguely registered as she swung both blades in retaliation. Her left blade snapped with a harsh twang as her right met the flesh of the titan's jaw. Her left leg had been bitten by her upper thigh, her right boot kicking uselessly against its face.

She let out a slew of curses as she registered the fact that while the titan was unable to clamp down any harder, it wasn't releasing the firm grip upon her leg and with her left blade broken she was unable to make any lasting damage upon the other side of its jaw. Panic swelled in her chest as she starkly realised it would be a minute before its mouth regenerated enough to completely snap off her leg.

Rustling behind her called her attention, and much to her horror the other smaller titan had returned, its grubby child-like hands reaching out towards her. She swung out her right blade, slicing its filthy hand to ribbons as she let out an aggravated scream.

The sounds of whirring called her attention to the front as the blurry form of a soldier sliced the nape of the titan currently holding her hostage. Her body fell as its jaw went slack, and with an unceremonious thump, her body crumpled to the floor. She distantly acknowledged the other titan dropping to the floor also as her mind seemed to be a step behind herself.

Joshua was before her now, pulling her to her feet and catching her when she stumbled, her left leg bleeding and unable to hold her weight. She balanced herself on her right leg, transferring her weight onto the other limb as she looked up to her saviour.

An aged, blonde haired man — much taller than Lily, gave her a sheepish smile once he realised she was alive and surprisingly in one piece. It seemed introductions could wait as while the elevator was now being filled with the remaining injured, two more titans had emerged from the darkness with eager yet lethargic gazes.

"We've got it from here, head up the wall and take a rest, you've earned it!" The honey-eyed man suggested, already pulling his blades out and readying himself nervously. She noted the Garrison patch.

Lily limped out of Joshua's aid, her face stoney as she rounded at the two titans, her handles forgoing their blades in favour of a fresh pair. "With all due respect, these people put their lives in my hands and I won't stop fighting till all of them are over that wall safe and sound."

Her tone left no room to argue, not that she had given them the time to do so, as she sped off after the further titan, drawing both their gargantuan eyes in her direction as she carved her way up the first ones knees, before she twirled herself around the others outstretched arm.

Joshua and the Garrison soldier weren't far behind, the blonde man carving a chunk of flesh from one of the titan's napes before he swung around the to blind the second. Joshua followed swiftly after the Garrison soldier, his blades sinking into the raised arm that attempted to swat the blonde man away. Lily latched her anchors into the back of the titans head, just above its nape as she launched herself upwards, her gas propelling her furiously forward as she twisted herself horizontally, her blades carving into the nape and upwards.

A holler from below alerted the trio to the elevator being safely out of the titan's rage. Lily sent herself swiftly up the wall, stumbling slightly upon impact as her form landed haphazardly on her injured limb. A hiss left her lips as she sunk to her knees, eyes finally finding the jagged marks left behind by the titan's teeth, blood seeped out her wound staining her white pants crimson.

She hissed, using a knife to cut away her pant leg in order to reach the wound. As she inspected the mangled limb, she was relieved to note that while she was bleeding a concerning amount, her artery was intact and no bones broken, it had broken through the flesh but not into anything vital. She'd still need some stitches but thankfully not many.

"Here, it looks like you'll need it." The blonde Garrison Soldier from earlier handed her a medical kit. His eyes locked onto her wound as his forehead wrinkled with his worry. She nodded her thanks as she pulled out a sanitised suture kit and set about piecing herself back together. "You're the one leading these kids back?"

Lily glanced up, realising she had yet to say anything. She took a breath, willing her rushing heart to calm itself as she slowed her pace, finding her tired voice once more.

"Yes — acting squad leader Lillian Carter, for Squad Daveen." She grimaced, her words failing her as she seemed to lose her ability to formulate a sentence. "You are?"

"Unit Captain Hannes, of the Garrison. Looks like you guys have been through hell, and from how long it's been since the bulk of your regiment returned, I can only guess what it was like." He paused, patting a hand on her back lightly once she was finished stitching herself together and had begun to bandage her leg. "Want me to find you a crutch for the meanwhile? It's going to be a pain walking on that leg."

She paused, her lips pressing together into a line as she nodded, her eyes looking past Hannes and towards the surviving members, silently she checked over their forms as she mentally counted her people. Hannes seemed to be aware of her actions as he held a hand up before her, pulling her attention back to him.

"You don't talk much but with how you were acting out there I'd say you're a seasoned veteran. They're fine and safe thanks to you. Pulled one hell of a miracle for them, bringing that many back alive in the state they were in is…" he shook his head, a smile pulled at his face as he turned back to Lily, who was regarding him with a confused stare. "Never mind, your buddies in the scouts should be arriving here shortly to escort you back home and get you fixed up. Take a rest now, you've earned it."

"The Unit-Captain's got the right of it Lil. You look like utter shit." Joshua stated, coming to stand before the pair, a smile on his face despite the jab. Lily scowled, tossing the brunette a scathing glare.

"You try having a titan nibble your leg and see what kind of shape you're in after, shithead." Joshua snorted, Timothy arriving shortly behind the brunette, a slightly confused yet amused expression dancing over his features.

"I mean she's got a point, she's lucky she has a working leg." Timothy remarked, eyes flickering from her face to her bandaged limb.

"Thank you for pointing out the obvious!" Lily's tone turned sarcastic as she flung her arms out exasperatedly. Hannes threw the trio an amused look, shaking his head as she pushed himself to his feet. Another Garrison soldier arrived, his chest huffing with effort as he threw Hannes a tired salute.

"Sir! The Scouts have arrived in Trost, Commander Erwin is on his way now with a medical team as we speak. Should we lower the injured down in preparation for transport?"

"At ease. Aye, let's get this lot home." Hannes threw the trio a warm smile as he nodded to his subordinate, who skittered off with his new orders.


By the time in which the rest of the scouts and their medical squads had made it to the makeshift tents below the walls, dawn had begun to rise, the sky lightening in the early morning, the pitch black of the sky transforming into a softer blue as the stars shone their last few hours.

Lily was seated on a crate, her body finally relaxing after the night's efforts. Her head rested in her hands as she leaned forward, her hair — long since fallen from her loose ponytail, draped around her face like a curtain of light strawberry blonde. Her head had begun to ache as her mind still reeled with the past few hours, her hands still shaking as spikes of pain trailed up her left leg whenever she moved it too much.

The dull throb of the limb a stark reminder to her previous precarious situation, her teeth clenched at that thought. She had been close — too close to death then, it didn't matter that she survived, the fact she was at the mercy of others unsettled her to the core. She wasn't trained enough, didn't know enough. The thought that it was a possibility made her stomach flip with uneasiness.

A sigh passed through her lips, her head lifting itself from its bowed position, her golden eyes passing along the forms of those that survived. Her stare caught Lena, the green-eyed woman had survived and Lily couldn't feel more relieved.

Lena made her way over to the shorter woman, her weary smile slipping onto her face as she stopped just before the silent blonde.

"I just wanted to say thank you ma'am." Lily jerked back, her gaze darting to the other woman's green one. Lily opened her mouth to object, her face twisted in confusion. Lena held a hand up, silencing the blonde woman abruptly. "Without your calm focus, your wits and your strength none of us would have had the chance to make it this far. Instead we all made it back alive. We have you to thank for that.

"You defended us not only against the titans but against our own fear. I wouldn't have had the courage to go alone otherwise. You inspire me ma'am."

Lily was at a loss for words, unsure how to handle the situation as she regarded the other woman — who stared at her with unhiddend idolisation. Joshua, along with Timothy, Travis and a few others arrived, each sharing looks of relief and respect.

"Defended huh?" Joshua thought for a moment, a mischievous grin crossing his features as Lily gave him a weary look. "So the Captain's Humanity's strongest, would that make Lily Humanity's Defender?"

"Oh-no, absolutely not." Lily retorted adamantly, her expression souring as she glared at her elder brother. "Don't you dare, I'm far out of the Captains League."

"Well, that's why you're Humanity's Defender, because you're in a league of your own." Joshua teased his chest puffing up as Lily swung out her arm to collide with his side lightly.

"I might be injured but I will kick you."

"On a more serious note, you really did pull us together and get us through that Lil." Timothy interjected, his expression surprisingly serious. Lily frowned inwardly, she didn't believe that required such attention, and suddenly she felt the need to leave the area, uncomfortable with the situation.

"Cadet Carter?" A scout called out, nudging his way to the front as he gazed at the shorter woman. "The Commander has requested your presence."

Lily let out a long sigh, nodding her head as she rose to her feet, her limp had lessened to a degree. Able to walk without a crutch more because of her pride than anything else, she set off towards where the officers had gathered, including those who had finally woken from their unconscious state.

Several sets of eyes locked onto her the moment she passed into the command tent. Her body stiffening at the attention, feeling like a deer caught in the headlights, she gave a weak salute, finding the energy she had several hours previously leaving her body rapidly.

"You asked for me sir?"

"Lillian, good to see you." Erwin addressed. The usage of her first name had her eyeing the blonde man suspiciously as she dropped her salute. Her eyes darted across the faces gathered. Captain Levi, Section-Commander Hange, Nanaba, and by the bandage on his face, Section-Commander Dita Ness was the officer unconscious with the survivors. He seemed to regard her with the most warmth.

"What's all this?" Lily asked, her question hesitant as she rested her arm against the table in the centre, leaning her weight on her right left and off her injured one.

"We're just here to get a report of what happened. From what we've gathered you were the one who took command after the remaining scouts were left behind by the formation. We'd like your recount of what happened." The Commander's voice was smooth and clipped. Direct and to the point, something she appreciated.

However, today was a day she just wanted to rest, and it seemed that by Nanaba's amused expression, her exasperation had begun to show on her face. With a deep sigh, Lily did her best to relay the events of the previous hours to her superiors, asking any question they had whilst also attempting to not sound too blunt considering her exhausted state.

"So you waited for nightfall before moving back towards the wall and managed to make it there after a three hour ride, switching between Cadets running and riding?" Nanaba questioned, surprise clear as day on her features. "That's actually pretty smart."

"Others are reporting you used a small-scale version of the formation?" The Commander questioned, one thick brow quirked as he waited for her reply.

"Yes…" she shifted with unease. "The injured and the runners were already at a disadvantage, so I had everyone on horseback with working equipment spread out around the centre group in hope of better spotting any threats."

"Smart decision, a large group of huddled idiots makes an easy titan meal." Section-Commander Deita agreed. "Whatever the hell happened out there I wasn't conscious for it. Surprised I made it back at all. What you did Carter, was unheard of."

Lily's anxiousness increased at the praise, finding her free left hand tugging idly at her scarf — thankful the item was still with her as she regarded the group of superiors. "It wasn't just me, they all had to work together to get this far."

"It takes a certain kind of person to pull together a group of hysterical soldiers and make them work well together." Commander Erwin's voice dropped to a particularly serious note as he leveled a stare with the short blonde woman. Nanaba smirked slightly, locking her blue eyes to Lily's golden pair.

"You're a natural with ODM gear, and while your kills aren't all clean, you're doing far better than when we first saw you lot. You three were already on your way to becoming some of the best of us. But after today? It's no wonder they're talking about nick-naming you Humanities Defender." Nanaba gave Lily a warm welcoming stare as she nodded her head respectfully.

Lily felt sick. Like her insides had suddenly demanded to become outsides. She grimaced, her body feeling icy cold at the drop of her so-called nickname. Her eyes darted between faces, eventually finding the Captain's deeping scowl. She waved her free hand in the air adamantly.

"I might be improving but I'm not… I'm not that." The Commander turned to her then, a flash in his eyes that only seemed to show when we had someone right where he wanted them. Lily felt her proverbial heckled raise in defence.

Calm down, acting like a rebellious teenager right now won't help. Lily scolded herself inwardly, her grip on the table turning her knuckles white as she steeled herself, schooling her features into a blank mask.

"Those who returned back to us under your command seemed to say otherwise." Erwin rebutted, his head tilting towards the tent's entrance. "A title like that isn't just bestowed upon anyone. They put their faith, trust and hope in your hands out there and according to the Garrison you refused to stop fighting until every soul returned to the safety of the wall. Dedication like that is a rare trait."

He leveled her with a hard stare, and Lily felt the icy cold chill crawl up her spine. "Tell me, who of those that came back alive would be able to pull off a mission like that had you not been there? With every member returning alive and no additional casualties."

Silence was her answer. She had seen just how chaotic they had become before Lily had taken control. She still remembers Daveen's barely concealed horror on her face during the Abnormal attack, and Lena freezing on the spot in the face of a titan. The commander had a point. The only individual she could consider having the ability to pull them together would be Joshua, yet in her heart of hearts, she knew after she stumbled upon his form, holding Lucas' body — that he'd have broken had she not pulled him together.

She relented with a sigh, her eyes trailing to the stone floor below as her shoulders slouched. She could not rebuttal with anything substantial and she knew the Commander had a point. Still, her stomach twisted uncomfortably at the aspect of being considered Humanities Defender. The feeling of the Titan's maw around her leg was a very jarring reminder of her mortality, comparing herself to the Captain across from her, she felt ill suited for the title.

Satisfied, the Commander nodded his head, blue eyes softening as he regarded her for another moment. "We'll be heading back to headquarters here shortly. You're welcome to rest on the ride"

A frown etched itself upon her face as she shook her head. "After this day? I doubt sleep will be much of a friend to me."

She departed shortly after, her grim tone lingering in the tent behind her as she made her way over to her beautiful golden stallion. Kahavi nudged his head into Lily's chest, causing the woman to stumble slightly on her wounded limb.

"Hey, hey…" she cooed, her palm resting on Kahavi's cheek affectionately. A pair of footsteps behind her alerted her to another presence, Kahavi snorted adamantly, the horse not being particularly fond of others. "He doesn't enjoy it when you stare him in the eye."

Lily turned then after the words had left her mouth, startling somewhat in surprise to find the dark haired, broody Captain, his face shadowed in the dim morning light. Her right hand came to rest on Kahavi's muscular shoulder, using her trusty steed to assist her weight. "Captain."

"You're injured and you still expect to ride on horseback?" His tone was flat, almost annoyed despite the almost stormy expression on his face.

"I can handle myself. The others need more immediate attention than I." Lily replied, her right hand coming up to tug anxiously at her scarf. The Captain's eyes followed her movement before his steel gaze narrowed.

"Tch, stop being a pain in the ass and just go get help." He crossed his arms now, his scout cloak ruffling in the soft breeze within Trost.

"You misunderstand. I'm fine, I stitched myself up and I'm taken care of." Lily's tone dropped into a more firm note, leaning herself more into Kahavi's side as the stallion bobbed its head as if it agreed. "Right now I'm more of a nuisance than anything down there. Best if I let the medics do their job while I rest."

It seemed the answer had caught the Captain slightly off guard. He must've been expecting her reply to be different. Finding herself tired of this near-constant tense atmosphere the group of scouts seemed to have adopted here, she turned her gaze towards the mingling soldiers.

"Expecting me to play pretend hero and forgo treatment until everyone else is taken care of?" Her tone was flatter than she intended, her own exhaustion seeping into her words slightly. "I'm not an idiot. And I like to think I know my limits. This is one of them."

The Captain regarded her for a moment. The shadowed anger on his face receded as he adopted a more neutral expression. "You'd be surprised how many idiots do that."

"For some reason that doesn't surprise me. Guilt and grief do strange things to people." Lily shrugged, her eyes following the distant movements of her siblings at the medical tent. "I don't have the energy or want to be a hero. I just don't want anyone else to die."

"Tch, now they're going to start calling you Humanities Defender. And it doesn't seem like Erwin even wants to stop them." The tone in the Captain's voice sounded bitter, almost angered at the concept. Lily glanced at her superior, noting his glaring gaze was locked onto the camp before them.

Curiosity got the better of her, "You don't want them too?"

"I thought you didn't even want it either."

Lily nodded her head after a beat. The Captain had turned to look at her again, his shoulders tense as he glared at her. "I don't. Trust me I'm not that, never mind the fact I've only just been amongst the scouts for a year.

"If I'm honest I detest it. I'm human, I have flaws and dreams. Just like the rest of them, calling me that makes me sound like a legend not a person. Is this how you feel?"

The question seemed to catch the Captain even more off-guard as he froze momentarily. He scoffed looking away but the silence was answer enough. For a moment, she wondered that the reason he was so agitated was because he could see what had happened to him start it's course again with her.

A splitting pain blossomed in her skull, causing the woman to clutch her head with her right hand, a hiss leaving her as her eyes scrunched closed, sinking to her knee.

Memories flooded her head like an unrelenting river, sweeping her into the currents as all her other senses became overwhelmed with the onslaught. Images and sounds flashed before her, all disorientating. A spirited, red haired woman clutching a bird. A tall, blonde haired man passing a boy some money conspicuously. The utter anguish filled screams of the Captain as her vision filled with the haunting gaze of a crimson eyed titan.

Her breathing was ragged and unfocused, her hands still clutching her head as a pair of tears streamed down her face. She had her eyes opened now, unfocused as her mind reeled with its recent intrusion of memories. Levi's hand was on her shoulder, squeezing her firmly as he looked at her in concern, head tilted as raven bangs covered his left eye.

She jerked then, realising that this was the now-Levi and not the then-Levi of her memories. She coughed hoarsely as she nodded her head in order to say she was fine. She was unsure what to say, to explain what had happened. She'd never experienced that in her life. Sure she had remembered things from the manga and anime but she accepted that her memory was limited and had told the Commander as such.

Now however, that set of memories were vivid and real, merging almost with her current understanding of the world, like she was witnessing those memories not like a viewer would in a series, but as a bystander in the real world. It seemed that she was able to even recall names more clearly. Isabel and Furlan. Their last names were hazy still, but the more important parts were easier to remember, like first names and places.

Lily pressed her lips into a thin line, as the Captain offered a hand up. She took it, the calloused palm warm as he effortlessly pulled her to her feet. Lily winced as she moved her injured leg slightly. Finding her body becoming increasingly more exhausted. "Wanna tell me what the hell that was?"

Lily shook her head, words failing her at the moment as she willed herself to calm down. Finally she opened her mouth to reply. "I can't explain it… I need a moment… to rest, please."

At the unusualness of her tone and her more subdued state, the Captain relented his expression harbouring no anger or frustration. Lily leaned herself against Kahavi's side, the horse bending its neck to glance at his owner in concern. Levi was still looking at her, as if she was about to crumple to the floor again, his hands clenched at his sides.

"Memories." Lily's voice was quiet, almost a whisper as she stared at the stone ground of Trost.

"Huh?" The Captain responded, his tone flat as his brows furrowed together.

"I can't tell you what about. but it was a memory." She sighed, feeling her soul age suddenly, as her hands stroked her stallion's side. "I need to piece them together, I don't think I'm in the right mind to process everything at the moment."

The Captain nodded his head slowly, his gaze suspicious yet he didn't push the subject. Instead he turned and headed back into the command tent. Lily set about preparing Kahavi for the journey back home.


The remainder of Squad Daveen spent the next few days in a limbo of sorts. The three remaining — Lillian Carter, Joshua Falk, and Timothy Blane spent their free time training or in Lily's case, resting and healing. The mood between the trio was somber, despite the many praises Lily and the other three received from not just their superiors but their comrades did little to help, and in Lily's case, hindered her process.

Dusk had fallen sometime ago, and yet Lily still remained in the dining hall, the only occupant as she stared at her cup of hot tea — a vain attempt to aid her insomnia. While she suffered sleepless nights commonly even before her time within the scouts, these last few days have been worse than usual. The woman was able to cope — three or four hours asleep paired with larger meals gave her enough energy for daily duties, but it didn't mean she was fond of the long nights alone with her wandering mind.

A set of light footsteps echoed down the corridor just outside of the dining hall, her dull golden gaze flickering up to the entrance, surprised to find her ginger friend entering the room quietly.

Petra startled when she noticed Lily tucked away in the corner, a cup of steaming tea between her palms. She gave the blonde woman a weary smile, however it lost its pull when the ginger noted the dark circles under the other woman's golden eyes. Petra poured her own tea before quietly making her way over to her friend, her voice soft as she greeted her.

"Lily, how've you been?"

"Dreadful." Lily stated sourly, lifting her teacup to her mouth and sipping at it. A frown etching itself onto her face. She preferred her tea sweet, but that was a luxury for the Noble. Another thing she missed from her reality; the easily accessible necessities.

She sighed eventually, her eyes darting to her ginger friends. "But I'm okay. Sure I can't sleep very well, but that's not exactly new."

"You know we can request specific tea to help with insomnia, I'm sure the medical wing won't mind if we pinch some for a while." Petra offered kindly, her tone soft yet still echoing slightly in the empty hall.

Lily waved her hand, shaking her head in the negative. "No need, I doubt it'll be much help anyway. Sometimes my body just refuses to settle. It will pass eventually, for the meanwhile I'll just keep myself busy."

"Just don't overdo it Lily." Petra sighed. "I trust you'll be okay. You've always been extremely independent. Sometimes you remind me of a cat on a good day."

"Why a cat?" Lily's nose scrunched up in confusion as she gave Petra a puzzled look. Petra stifled a giggle at the expression.

"Well for one you're very choosy about who you socialise with, and at times quite ferocious when ticked off. But you also very much enjoy being in people's company, not so much talking but just being there."

"Oh because a pissed off cat is ferocious." Lily scoffed, finding the concept incredibly amusing. "Here I thought most people thought I was intimidating."

"Oh no, you're most definitely intimidating when first meeting you. I was nervous talking to you for the first time." Petra confessed.

"I'm sorry I gave you that impression." Lily mumbled into her cup, her gaze somber once more as she grimaced.

"It doesn't matter now, that's in the past. Besides, I'm lucky enough to be called your friend." Petra beamed. Her smile was contagious as Lily found an echoing smile pull at her lips.

"Thank you, Petra. I needed this."

"This is what friends are for. We support each other." Petra spoke softly, her tone kind.

"Will say I've definitely missed you. Hell, I miss the whole squad. Daveen's stupid comments. Lucas' skittish person. By the walls it went south so fast I could barely keep up." Lily sighed. Her gaze turned to the large glass windows, the stars greeting her once more.

"I do too… I'm honestly thankful you made it back okay. You're one of my closest friends Lily…" Petra's soft voice tinged with grief, her sad eyes turning to the window also.

"For what it's worth, I plan on living as long as I possibly can. You'll be stuck with me for quite some time." Lily stated firmly, to which Petra responded with a small smile.


The three remaining members of squad Daveen had gathered in the commander's office, a number of officers alongside them, crowding within the small space. Lily, Timothy and Joshua stood at attention, their posture stiff and firm. With a raised hand, Commander Erwin signaled for their ease. Dropping into parade rest, the three soldiers stood attentively.

"As you know, you three are the last remaining members of Squad Daveen. Under normal circumstances the second in command would take responsibility of the squad as the new billeted squad leader and fill the ranks with new cadets before riding as a relay squad." The Commander's piercing blue gaze locked onto Lily, pinning the smaller woman under his gaze. She stiffened slightly but held his stare.

"However, considering the recent events, we feel your skills individually would go to waste following proper procedures. In light of such, I'd like to speak to you about separate squad assignments." The three glanced at each other. They were separating them? Lily felt a chill rush up her spine as she snapped her gaze back towards her Commander.

"Why?" She asked, her tone not demanding as she spoke up. Joshua threw the woman a glare for speaking out of turn. Commander Erwin regarded her with a curious stare as he turned to face her.

"We'll, Lillian. To put it bluntly, we believe the three of you are each distracted by the other that it has begun to hindered your growth. It's time you put faith in your family and grow independently." A small silence hung in the air as a charged energy danced between Erwin and Lily. She sighed, relenting with a nod.

The Commander smiled and nodded his head. "Timothy Blane. We believe with your particularly mechanical mindset you'd benefit better under the command of Section-Commander Hange. You'll be reassigned to Hange's personal squad."

Timothy saluted, seemingly okay with the reassignment as he nodded his head. The aforementioned Section-Commander let out a sound of glee. "So Timmy, can I call you Timmy? — how do you feel about Titans?"

"Oi, shitty-glasses." The Captain interrupted, his scowl locked onto his features as he glared at the eager officer. "Save it till after the meeting."

"Oh right, good point!" Hange nodded, gaze turning back to the commander as a serious expression fixed itself upon their face. With a somewhat amused look, the Commander continued.

"Joshua Falk. Your natural strength and in-depth understanding of our ODM gear marks you as one of our more skilled soldiers. As such you'll be aiding the support squads under Section-Commander Miche. You'll be reassigned to Squad Miche where you'll learn from one of the very best."

Joshua — although slightly hesitant, nodded his head with a firm salute in response. His eyes darted to the stoic man in the corner who gave him an approving nod.

Lily felt her body tense as the Commanders blue eyes locked onto her form for the second time this evening.

"Lillian Carter." He addressed, his gaze levelling with her as she felt her jaw tighten in anticipation. "With your recent accomplishments from the previous expedition, as well as your rapidly progressing training, we believed you'd work best amongst the advanced-recon squads however — upon Captain Levi's request, you've been extended an offer to join the Special Operations squad."

A stone dropped in her stomach as her golden gaze whipped over to the stormy Captain. He regarded her with a scrutinising look, trying to find her thoughts at the request. Her mind darted to Petra, the concept of working with her ginger friend again was certainly enough of a reason to accept. She turned her gaze back to her Commander, the man seemed to be waiting for her answer.

"I'll accept." She stated almost eagerly as she saluted firmly. He nodded then, his blue eyes glancing at all three.

"Any of you have objections?"

"No, sir." The three responded. With a nod, the commander dismissed the trio, allowing their new superiors to steal their attention. Lily turned back to the Captain — her Captain, she supposed. He nodded his head in a gesture to follow, and so she trailed out of the office, only stopping once they reached the kitchens where he began to brew some tea. Leaning against the bench as he gazed at her.

"Training starts an hour before dawn. Eld will get you situated and running drills until he's ready to teach you the squad maneuvers. You've worked with Petra previously so I'll go ahead and assume you're familiar with her the most. She'll also be assisting you in getting you up to speed." He paused then, the kettle whistling. He set about two cups, filling them both and passing Lily one of her own.

"Erwin neglected to mention, but you'll also be considered the squad medic. He wouldn't shut up about your training since you first started with Ian." Lily was surprised he knew, however she didn't complain as she took a sip of her tea, finding herself missing some sugar once more.

"So congratulations, you're a specialist now. Try not to let it go to your head." He stated, his tone bored and utterly flat. Lily let out a small laugh, finding the announcement amusing with how completely disinterested he seemed about it. Her Captain raised a brow at her as she waved him off.

"I suppose this means I'll need to requisition a new saddle for Kahavi if I'm now the squad medic. I'll need extra supplies."

"I'll handle that. You just focus on getting up to speed with the rest of the squad."

"Aye." She sighed, glancing at her tea as she nervously tugged at her scarf. The Captain nodded, refilling his cup before he left the blonde woman behind.