Don't Let Go

Garrus is not in a good mood at all, in fact he's livid. The group bringing with them two horses without their riders, looks incredibly bad on them.

Holding on the scruff of his white shirt, releasing the tension from when Sasha nearly strangled him to death for losing the satchel of meat, fucking MEAT! He had half a mind of leaving her behind and tolerate Daz's whimpering of the near-death experience he put himself into. Getting aggravated, "Daz will you man the fuck up! Your alive, yeah you kind of fucked up for causing us to nearly die but we are still alive" causing the quivering man to be silent.

Heaving a sigh, he looked to Sasha, moody about losing the meat, concerned for the two and…. she's eating a fucking potato, eye's widening at the fact she's eating at this moment, shaking his head in disbelief focused in front as he led what remained of the group bordering the mountain, with a open field to his left.

Noticing a few groups behind and in front, glancing to Sasha, hoping she hasn't noticed, if she did then she didn't show it, nervously munching on that potato.

"Oi potato girl, what seem to keep your trap shut" calling out to the back, catching her attention.

Gulping down the potato she chewed in her mouth, "I'm just worried about Alan and Mikasa" she admitted "I mean I was going to force us all through the pass over the thought of winning, now I don't know if having a weeks' worth of meat is worth losing my friends" eye's glooming down, at her selfish thoughts.

Both Daz and Garrus blinking, gaping at her.

"Who are you and what did you do to shit breath?" Garrus looking around, hoping to see an identical twin running about, before diverting attention back to Sasha.

Spluttering potato out of her mouth "I've always been here, you, you" gritting her teeth unable to find a proper insult yet again.

Laughing at her inability to insult him "Oh there you are, we missed you so terribly, here I thought you're her sensible twin" Garrus laughed with Daz, nervously chuckled at the joke, but face solemn.

"I'm sorry for causing this mess guys" choking on his own words, filling up with regret "I always try to be better"

"Well try harder Daz, we can't fix your mess all the time" Garrus replied dryly. Irritated he ushers the horse to go faster intending to find a nearby group.

Hearing a call nearby, faint but noticeable, he glanced round to see a smiling petite blonde, his heart sang, seeing a true goddess appear before them. It's like Angels have started to gather making Garrus grin stupidly.

"Hey guys" Christa cheerfully greeting the group, her smile divine causing both Daz and Garrus to blush furiously.

Looking to Garrus's face, noticing a few scratches and a broken nose, letting out a gasp "Garrus, what happened to your face" grabbing some cloth from her saddle bag, riding up to his side, then proceed to dab the cloth over where the scratches are.

'Marry me' Garrus mesmerised with kindness she shown and how delicate she is, as she cared for his tragic wounds.

"How did you, come across these wounds" Christa inquired, snapping him out of his trance.

Producing grunting sounds in the back of his throat "been in a fight" he meekly said, putting the frown on the living goddess face.

'Gah don't look at me like that, I'M SORRY' the thought intruding Garrus's mind.

"What's this about a fight" The broader Muscular second blonde striding along, face plastered with concern, Reiner Braun.

'Oh boy' Garrus paled.

Reiner darted to his face, shaking his head "Dammit, Soldiers meant to be looking out for each other not trying to kill each other" knowing who the fight have broken between, wanting to give him a piece of his mind through comradery, he noticed the two missing individuals of the group. Sasha nervously looking away from his stare and Daz cowering under his glare.

Worry etching over his face and eye's narrowing down on Garrus, causing the group to halt.

"What happened" voice darkened, growing concern.

Garrus scratching his head, rain starting to drop, this is going to be a great fucking day.

Didn't take long for Reiner to lose his cool, what is stopping him from planting a smack on both Garrus and Daz's face is that Christa is by him, he would hate to disappoint her and crush her opinion of him, plus the fact everyone looks up to him for guidance. He doesn't want to lose that reputation he gained by helping others, as they look up to him as big brother.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Mina and Thomas calming him down, with Christa giving the two a stern verbal warning, crushing the boy's spirits by being punished by their goddess.

Sighing and glancing to Reiner "We have to get to the pass and hope they are alright"

Daz, squirming under their gaze "The path is blocked, our ODM gear would cause more trouble then it's worth" agitated by the look Reiner is giving towards him.

Bruno, Garrus's friends, steadily read their own map before chirping in. "Hey guys there's the entrance to the other side of the pass directly by the village" gaining Reiner's attention, 'is there a chance we can save them' his thoughts lingered to Alan and Mikasa "If we get to the village we can go through the other side and rescue them" Bruno casually stated.

Christa turning around to the group, with a determined expression "Let's ride fast, we can do this if we are to help" placing her hand on Reiner's shoulder giving it a comforting squeeze making the broad man smile.

Picking up speed they raced towards the village, Reiner thoughts dwell on the two hoping they are alive noticing the rain hitting harder than before 'Don't worry Alan, I'm coming' ushering his horse with ferocious determination. Unaware of their current condition.

The stampede of horses rushed through thick mud of the muddy, rocky plains, no breaks and no rests as they force themselves through the storm, an hour has passed with the clouds breaking, inviting the sun to praise them for their efforts.

To their relief the village was in sight, with the weather change brought hope as they charged towards their destination. To their surprise Sasha starts bounding pass, believing she wants to save her friends quickly, Garrus on the other hand knew why, she still wants her meat even after her talk of not being worth it. Disgusted, he never knew why he is fond of the shit breath potato girl to begin with.

Having idle chats with Bruno, Bruno gestures for him to lag to the rear. "So Garrus" He questioned "Are we still going to make that accident or what?" Widening his eye's Garrus shushed him to shut up, gleaning over to see if anyone especially Reiner didn't hear it.

Shaking his head "Change of plans, we do nothing" glancing to Bruno as if accusing him of something "It was a stroke of luck we didn't get killed, shame Mikasa was on the other side when it happened" muttering under his breath.

Unaware Reiner could hear them perfectly clear, under the sound of hooves pounding on the muddy floor, his expression darkened, fighting the warrior inside him.

Sasha was the first in, huffing and catching her breath, she let out a curdling scream, enforcing the others to catch up to find out the situation.

Mina in shocked surprised went to Sasha's side asking her to calm and tell her what's wrong, with no Sasha having her hands in her face in despair, Thomas glancing in front is Shadis speaking to Jean Kirstein and Eren Yeager, rolling his eyes at the sight.

Sasha lost her weeks' worth of Meat.

Reiner, getting off his horse and stormed passed the drill instructor, receiving questioning stares as he ran towards the entrance of the mountain pass with Christa apologising for his rudeness, understanding his haste.

Questioning "Lenz, mind telling me of Braun's haste to the pass?" Shadis demanded. Before Christa can answer, Armin gazed to the arriving two groups.

"Where's Mikasa?" Armin inquired. Marco following his sight thought the same.

"Where's Alan?" looking to Christa's light blue eye's darting to the mountain pass, connecting the dots Marco's face fell.

Glancing to Eren completely oblivious to the situation, grabbed Armin to the side. "Armin, if I put a weeks' worth of meat down, I bet Mikasa and Alan maybe trapped on the mountain pass" a worried look plastered on their face, darting his eye's to Eren, as he casually walked towards the two boys'.

Noticing the worry "Guys what's wrong? We won, we got meat for a week" trying to lighten the mood, until he too looked over the group missing two people. "Where's Alan and Mikasa?" face fallen with dread, not wanting to believe it, until Garrus moved forward and pulled him to the side.

Garrus is not having a good day, by telling the hot-headed bastard of what happened he ended up being the punching bag of the Yeager. Holding his arms up, protecting his face, it took Marco and Jean to pry Eren off him, screaming insults and threats.

"You left them to fucking die" Rage pouring off Eren "Let me go! I kill him"

"Quit it you, suicidal bastard" jean exclaimed, even though Jean knew it wasn't Garrus's fault, he knew Eren is targeting him due to Garrus's animosity towards Alan. "Your talking about the two strongest people, if you use your damn head, do you think they could easily get killed" struggling along with Marco holding Eren back.

Visibly calming, but still oozing with rage Eren looked to the mountain pass "No, they won't" sighing to himself, he reached other to bastard, holding his hand to bring up "Alan is too strong and smart and I doubt Mikasa is going to let him die either", Garrus accepting the hand, brushing himself, muttering darkly to himself.

"last time I ever give you fucking bad news" he spat darkly, causing Eren to glare more "They still alive, yeah we tried but it made the situation worse causing another slide." He too looking to the pass "Reiner already rushed through and I suggest you let him, knowing you, your rashness and suicidal tendencies could make it worse"

Eren was about to throw another punch until Marco held onto his arm, preventing anymore incidents. "They be ok, Reiner is going after them, they be back before you know it"

Defeated Eren can only stare "Yeah, I just wished I been there" knowing fully well Mikasa would put herself in harms way, he wished his sister is alright, but he trusts Alan to look after her.

The mountain pass is much clearer with the sun blazing over, but since the rocks are wet and their position is not the safest, instead of a misstep it be a simple slip that could bring them down.

With the lack of ODM's gear, they have no way saving themselves in case they do fall. Grumbling at the situation, Alan took the lead, keeping his sense's on high alert for any falling rocks, Mikasa with her hood up, following behind. To his relief the passage doesn't get any narrower, giving them a bit of breathing room to dodge or to keep balance in case the floor decides to be unsteady for them.

It's not the hardest situation he's been in, hell he avoided being eaten by titans when the wall collapsed. Surviving everything life throws at him, chuckling to the thought that a simple fall would be the end of him, in more ways one can imagine. His mind still casting back to the cave as their lips nearly met, his loss of focus, makes his step miss place his footing, stumbling closer to the edge, thankfully Mikasa was there to pull him back to the wall, her eye raising in question, 'She's really getting the knack in his signature eye raising'

"Your losing focus Alan, I hate to bring the news of how you fell to your death" taking this opportunity to rummage her hands through the satchel getting out a piece of meat and handing it over "Eat" she simply requested.

Taking the meat and munching it down, he mumbled his thanks, looking to the sky, four hours left of light, they need to get to the other side if they were to survive and he does not want to be here when it gets dark. Grinning "don't look down" joking to lift the tension and awkward silence.

Again, her eyebrow lifted "Seriously? You nearly took a fall and all you can do is joke"

"What? I would have managed to hang onto something on the way down, a goat maybe?" awkwardly grinning at the sight of an unamused Mikasa "Well I'm still here thanks to you" giving a small chuckle, Mikasa face visibly relaxing, she glanced over the edge and mused.

"I would feel sorry for the goat, it wouldn't be able to handle your freefall" Simply stating, features stoic, yet her eyes glint in amusement. 'Wait, was she making a joke right then?' Blinking once or twice registering Mikasa, making a joke from his joke.

"Yes, it would be bleating all the way down, cushioning my manly arse from the fall" he grinned, Mikasa hummed in disagreement to his surprised.

"The goat has more chance of surviving" again she joked, giving a slightly small grin.

'What did I do in that cave' Alan pondered. Shaking his head, they made their way through the mountain pass.

The journey was treacherous, as something is causing the rocks to fall ahead, cracking the pathway to become narrower,

'Damn Goats, they found out about my plans' finding an excuse for their luck, until they come towards a rocky bridge overhanging a massive chasm. On the end Alan looked over and whistled as he saw jagged broken rocks at the bottom. "They use this passage to cross through the mountain?" giving Mikasa a sceptical look, as they keep finding more reasons why this pass even exists.

Shrugging "perhaps they may have closed it off, due to the hazards" Alan twisting his head in shock. "You happen to know this why?"

Leaning her head "Didn't you listen to Shadis as he told us not to use the pass or face death, or did you have selective hearing?" eyebrow raising 'damn is his eyebrow raising that contagious?'

Rubbing the back of his neck, looking through memory to see if he can remember, he got nothing, giving a weak grin "Maybe?" pretending to misheard it. Sighing Mikasa pressed forward placing her foot first onto the bridge, testing it in case anything bad happens.

Turning her head round "We should go one by one; in case something happens" receiving a nod from her companion.

Listening out for any danger, she moved slowly. Alan keeping an eye out, thinking they are out in the clear, Alan for the first time, said something stupid.

"Maybe our luck made a good turn" as he spoken a rumble broke out, causing Mikasa to turn her head in surprise anger, eye's popping out and mouth agape slightly, baring teeth as if daring him to open his mouth again.

'Yeah that's a look he doesn't want to see again' Alan zipping his mouth shut and squeezing his lips as if he said something disgusting. Until a massive boulder comes tumbling down towards on top of him. Eye's widening Alan jumped forward narrowly missing as the boulder smashes through the end of the bridge.

Shocked but alive, he started laughing turning to Mikasa "That was close" until the creaking of stone collapsing from where the boulder smashed though. Groaning again.

"RUN!" Mikasa shouted as the floor beneath them starts to crumble. Running as their life depends on it Mikasa sprinted to the end rolling away from collapsing rocks, hitting the edge wall, indicating she made it to the end, shooting up watching Alan sprinting as the bridge crumbles behind him, Mikasa's heart jumping into her throat, unsure what to do but watch as Alan sprints to her direction.

His blood screamed into his very skin, as Alan's breathed slowed, time seem to slow around him, seeing detail in every step he makes as the rocks splits underneath him, his instincts tapped into again, he sees Mikasa's eyes transfixed on him, not paying attention to her surroundings, looking up to see a boulder sooner fall as if it's… realising the boulder will be going on top of her, he pumped his legs, power surged through his body as his blood screeches and something else snaps inside of him, resisting it's pull 'Not now, not when she's here' he desperately resisting the urge seeing the knife on his leg, as if calling to him. He must decide now.

Trusting in his own strength, he flashes forward, his blood screeching pushing Mikasa to the side as the boulder narrowly missing her but scratching his arm in the process, they fell over the side.

It was all a daze as Mikasa's vision is blurred, shaking her head to regain her senses, she sooner realise she is dangling over the black abyss, hearing a grunting sound she glanced up seeing Alan holding on for dear life with his right hand on the ledge and his left, holding onto her hand.

If the time of place was any better and the circumstances was less life threatening, she would have blushed at the thought, frantically looking to her neck, her sigh of relief seeing her scarf is still wrapped around her neck.

"Seriously Mikasa" Alan grunted as if giving his yet again signature look, squeezing her hand to indicate that he needs her to hold onto him. "Don't let go" he begged. First time seeing fear in his eyes.

Mind racing, blood pumping, adrenaline rushing through his body, as much as he like to hang around all day, he isn't quite sure the ledge he is holding would give way or not, suddenly seeing it starting to crack.

'You got to be fucking kidding me, can't I catch a break for one minute' he mentally cursed. He looked to Mikasa and to the ledge, seeing this Mikasa simply said "Save yourself and let me go"

Time froze for a short while, hearing those words, nearly broke his heart. He looked down and he smiled.

Mikasa hearts thumped is he going to do it? Suddenly seeing him gritting his teeth with all his strength he swung his left arm raging through his voice he swung Mikasa up to the edge, as she grunted on impact, scrambling up to see the ledge he held onto gave way. Her eye's shocked, she reached out with her arm. 'NO! ALAN' tears started to flow. She failed. It feels like she's losing someone she cares about all over again, only to protect her.

His arm reached out, is he falling? Damn there better be a goat on the way down, smiling to his own joke, closing his eyes and prepared for the next part to happen.

A deep cry woke his attention as a hand grasped his forearm, instantly grasping, he opened his eyes to see Reiner holding on to him, straining against his weight.

"Come on you fat bastard" he cried out "get those muscles working and pull yourself up" straining to pull him up with his own strength, heaving himself with his biceps his left hand reaching for the ledge to see Mikasa grabbing hold and helped pulling him up. Rolling onto his back, he breathed heavily, adrenaline leaving his system he starts laughing.

Reiner gasping at him with their eyes meet, he starts laughing to. Mikasa just watched him with the stoic look, wiping the escaped tears to her cheek and seeing the wet patch to her arm. Her mind whizzing around, trying to collect her thoughts until she narrows her eyes to the laughing idiots. In an instant she punched his shoulder, receiving a shocked yelp.

"You Idiot, saying stupid shit like that" she gasped between breaths "throwing your life away to save me when you could have saved yourself" hitting him with each word that escapes her lips.

Reiner just kneeled there laughing at the display with Alan yelping and shouting for her to stop.

Getting her frustrations out of her system, she pulled him into a hug, shocking both Reiner and Alan. Alan smiling a gentle smile, returned the gesture, glancing to Reiner raising his eye.

"You want one too? You big softy" receiving a chuckle from his brother.

"Nah your good, don't want to ruin your moment, someone has to put a brave face on when we get out of here" Reiner giving his own grin.

Realising there was an audience Mikasa, quickly released himself and dusted herself off, hiding her blush within her scarf. Motioning for them to continue forward. With a laugh from the two they moved out, seeing the exit not so far.

As they left, two figures watching them leave, frustrated that they didn't get the accident they desire.

The trek was a short one, but the pass got larger and the exiting the path, 'OH glorious wooden buildings' Alan never been so happy to see wooden houses instead of stone, he never wanted to see stone ever again.

Mikasa relieved to see Eren, Eren rushed over to her and hugged her in a brotherly manner happy to see her alive, nodding to Alan in thanks.

Sasha and Daz ran over and apologised and Smiling, and is Daz crying over him? Non the less he appreciated the gesture.

Turning to Reiner he smiled. "Thanks Reiner, I owe you one"

Shaking his head and smiling "It's our job to watch out for each other, I would have expected you to have my back all the same." Alan asked if it's a soldier's duty, Reiner shook his head once again "No it's what I would do for my brother, I would never trade you for anything in the world" patting his back.

Christa now along with Ymir in toe came to check on the two, relieved to see Alan safe, noticing the torn fabric on his arm.

With Annie and Bertholdt hearing this their face grew concerned, Mikasa whirling around realising he been hurt because of her, grabbing his arm, checking for damage, seeing no blood or gash, only the torn hole on where the boulder fell.

Quickly seeing this Alan cursed, "Bloody hell this was my favourite jacket" he joked "Would have been one hell of a nasty scar though" he chuckled.

Rolling her eyes to his deflection of the situation, Christa egged on to see if he's really alright.

Reiner stepping in "OK guys, he just has a torn jacket and shirt, no need to make a deal over it" grinning to that brother of his.

Out of nowhere Shadis peered over them, causing them all to salute in quick succession. 'Where did he come from' Alan shuddered, wasn't he meant to be at the base and how did he get here so fast?

Sensing this he grinned menacingly "Welcome to the second barracks for your second year of training." All faces shocked, looking around Alan realise what he saw was not houses but barracks, cursing himself for not noticing it before.

So, did he just? Great he moved camps, with most of their belongings at the previous camp and he had them carry the ODM gear themselves, so he doesn't have to, 'Smart Bastard' Alan mused.

"Right side of the camp are for the boys, left side of the camp are for the girls. We be staying here for a month, so settle in ladies and DISMISSED!" Shadis ordered, causing the cadets to shout at the top of their lungs YES SIR!

Garrus was settling over in his barracks until two more figures approached him, he eyed them critically, A tall buzzed cut, broad muscular, with a square jaw, to his left a shaggy brown hair short man with a crooked nose. Dorian and Marcus.

"I told you it was changed of plans" Garrus smoothly said, watching the two to shuffle in their step.

"You said you wanted an accident if he enters the mountain pass" Dorian sheepishly said.

Gritting through his teeth "With all of us under the fucking rockslide?" eyeing them both "I thought you guys would have more brains than that, now I heard you nearly killed Mikasa because she was just there?" seething venom with each breath, ever since the forest he misjudged him, regretting now that he ordered such a thing against him.

"Won't happen again Garrus" Marcus grumbled "We missed our chance, so what now?"

Garrus sighed pinching the bridge of his nose "We do nothing, simple as that. Now we must train extra hard, to be in the top ten" after that signalling them to choose their bunks, with Bruno waiting for his turn to speak. Garrus grunted his permission to speak.

"Reiner maybe onto us about the 'accident'" voicing his concern, receiving a furious stare from their leader.

"It's a good thing we failed then, as I said he's no longer our concern now, if we try our luck again we be dead" Garrus seethed through gritted teeth "I'm getting some shut eye, speak no more of this, the others be coming soon" indicating to voices outside their barracks.

Alan was glad to be inside his barracks, after telling the whole thing Eren hugged him out of no where and thanked him for keeping his sister safe 'so he sees her as only a sister' Alan mused. Armin was voicing his concern over the boulders saying the same thing that that both he and Reiner thought, the boulders tumbling at the entrance causing it to block up, and the boulders crashing down at the bridge, it is all coincidental, what Armin suggests that they was pushed down on top of them, indicating someone is out to make it look like an Accident.

Eren dismissing it "Only guy that was pissed off with him is Garrus, but he's been with us the whole time and definitely not his goons since one of them was with Reiner and me and Jean was the first one there", yeah Sasha has been harassing Eren, jean, Armin, Marco and Connie about the Meat mainly, since she's good friends with him.

"It doesn't matter anyways Yeager" Jean calling out "they alive, Mikasa is alive, you can stop worrying and start focusing on the training tomorrow, Shadis said we be hitting the canyons for advanced ODM course run, we be putting all we learned from the first year into our second year." Saying this he turned over to sleep, indicating shut eye for everyone.

As Eren said his goodnights he dropped like a log, Armin smiling to Alan and thanking once more for looking out for Mikasa.

Reiner patted his back good night and turned in. While Bertholdt stayed up watching Alan as if waiting for him to say his mind.

"Sorry to worry you Bert, didn't mean to" apologising for today incident Alan continued "You know, every day you learn something about someone, there's always another question popping up"

Nodding in agreement and knowingly who he was referring to "Be careful Alan, you only hurt yourself if go down this road" Alan shifting his gaze to him, questioning his choice of words, holding his hands up in defence "What would happen when our training is complete? We go our separate ways, and all will be sunny, we have titans to fight and we both know that it never ends well with them" voice becoming solemn.

Looking down to his diary in his lap, he knew what Bertholdt meant and gritting his teeth at the thought, sighing his agreement.

With a sympathetic nod he handed him a pencil being his dutiful logistics assistant as always, telling him be alright and heading into his own slumber.

Alan thoughts shifted to Mikasa, remembering her tears that was shed, believing he was to fall to his death, the feel of her smooth skin against his and the kiss that never came, scowling to the thought, he wrote all his thoughts and feelings into the pages, looking out the window thinking she be doing the same.

Over to the other side of the camp, the raven-haired girl was leaning against the window staring out to the cloudy night sky. Mina asking what happened in the mountains, finding out they been in a cave, and asking every single detail.

Annie retired for the night, uninterested in the conversation. Christa chastising Mina to stop harassing Mikasa over details, eyeing her knowing she prefer to be left alone.

Grumbling Mina complied, with Ymir laughing "Damn mina, why don't you go up to the guy and rip his clothes off and fuck him till dawn" the usual cry of 'Ymir' from Christa and Mina blushing furiously.

A pang of jealousy emitted in Mikasa's stomach, not enjoying the thought of someone else being in his intimate space, where she had been. Closing her eyes, remembering everything happening in that cave, the feeling of his skin against hers, sends a chill down her spine, the feel of his metal pieces chained around his neck pressing against her, the slow warm breath on her neck relaxing her as he protectively wrapped his arms around her, shielding her from anything with his own body.

The closeness she shared, which wasn't even shared with Eren, the Dark blue eyes of his peering into her soul as she can remember herself moving ever so closer to his lips, yearning to connect yet never did. She never want to let go, yet was scared to go further.

She remembers the red scarf being wrapped around her neck as he took extra care in doing so. Moving said object to her face she feels there's more reason to keep it ever so closely, feeling the comfort it gives.

Unsure what to do with these new feelings rising inside her, the blood in her calms, accepting this new entity becoming part of her, she feels like she's betraying her original love for Eren, yet knew it's a sibling love, yet the feelings towards Alan starts to feel so right in so many ways, as if the chains have started to break free ever since the cave. She would have to make sure to ask Eren on how he feels, before she ever wants to entertain these foreign feelings further.

Grey eyes moving to outside, she smiled as if now, he is till watching over her.