A/N: I drew some inspiration from the female titan arc, hope you guys enjoy.
Do leave a review if you enjoyed it, gives me life to continue.
"Aw yeah I win!"
Connie and Sasha struck their fists into the air, having won a game of foosball against the likes of a disappointed Reiner and Bertolt. The burly blonde sighed as he facepalmed himself, it was not like him to give up three rounds in a row to a bunch of dimwits. On the other hand, Bertolt helpless as ever, could only watch Reiner pitifully swallow his frustrations.
"Reiner..."
...
Yet all it took was Historia to stroll up next to him.
"Don't give up, you can do it!"
Optimism and cheerfulness exuding radiantly from her positive demeanour.
...
"ALRIGHT CONNIE, SASHA ONE MORE ROUND LETS DO THIS!"
Bertolt and Historia were taken aback by Reiner's spontaneous transformation. Thankfully, his beastly outburst went largely unnoticed by everyone else. Their commotion effectively drowned out by the light, upbeat music that reached even the thinnest corners of the recreational lounge.
...
The freshmen of the 104th were celebrating the end of their first Semester of university. What better way to relax than a place chock filled with arcade machines, table games and cushy sofas.
Jean and Eren were jostling each other, blow for blow at the Pacman arcade machine. Violently mashing the buttons and fiddling the joystick, showing off their high scores while tearing each other apart with vulgar slangs and physical abuse.
Mikasa watch silently from the sides, sipping her bottled green tea as the chaos unfolded.
"YOU ARE CHEATING YOU HORSE FACE BASTARD!"
"HUH? I AM NOT THE ONE PLAYING WITH HIS HEAD STUCK UP HIS ASS!"
...
At a nearby reading corner, two blondes were laid down on separate sofas, reading their own books.
Armin snickered as he witnessed the scene from the corner of his eyes; It was one of the rare occasions in which Mikasa was exerting her non-interference policy. Annie having completed her book, lifted herself upright from the sofa. Her golden locks pouring out as her white hood came down, messily splaying out across her face. She slipped the article into her bag, tightening the straps in earnest.
Annie's curiosity over Armin eventually got the better of her.
"What is so funny?"
...
"Its Jean and Eren going at it again, never gets old doesn't it?"
...
"Hmmm I find that a little mean Armin, laughing at your friends when they are beating each other up like that."
Her unchanging expression and rather cold voice left Armin slightly intimidated. Beads of sweat rolling down the sides of his chin; Panic and anxiety went rampant throughout his mind as Armin, helplessly scurried to diffuse the "situation". Sadly, the disruptive banter and energy about the recreational lounge were not doing him any favours either.
"Huh wait no, I mean it's all a joke after all, that's what friends do."
Annie held her own book close to mouth, covering her grin as she enjoyed the moment. It was sadistic just as it was funny; Watching Armin struggle like that.
...
...
...
"Wait Annie, what are you doing?"
Feeling apologetic for being the cause of his little predicament, Annie reached out and in her own playful sense: Grabbed Armin's book from his hands. She flipped through the pages quickly; skimming through its contents. Initially, she was just purely feigning interest.
Annie, you are behaving really weirdly today. Not that I am complaining but...
Much to Armin's pleasant surprise, Annie's pupils widened with what seemed like pure shock.
She could feel a rush of adrenaline spiking though her as she flipped through its dense, yellowed pages.
Beauty was etched within the images of vast oceans, mountains and valleys.
Places unravaged by the cumbersome demands of society, free from the stress of education, overflowing with the peace and tranquility she had sought for her whole life.
Annie intends to bring her father to experience this peace with him.
"I didn't know you like geography?"
...
...
...
"Armin we need to go! Club activities start in thirty minutes and we haven't even had dinner yet!"
Her blank stares were interrupted when a voice called out from across.
"Alright Eren, lets go."
Armin hurriedly gathered his haversack and leapt towards the exit, waving his goodbye towards her. A smile of resignation stretched across his lips, reluctant at the the thought of leaving so soon.
"Oh sorry, see you later Annie! You can return me the book when you are done!"
A blush surfaced across her cheeks, prompting Annie to turn away to hide her blush, brushing the sides of her hair with her fingers. It was the kindness embedded within his expressions; Warmth that only she could sense. Even if Armin was to disappear for a short while, part of her missed his presence dearly.
"Oh okay, see you..."
The kindness in his expressions.
I don't deserve it this.
I am a terrible person.
...
Five minutes had passed, but it felt like twenty. Annie was left alone in recreational room. The air-conditioning whirling in the background. Her head was lowered with eyes widened, staring at Armin's book which somehow made its way onto the carpet.
Her legs were shaking rather uncontrollably, it must have fallen off my lap.
As she gingerly kneeled down and picked up the book, the grip of her two hands tightened as she placed it near her chest, hugging the hardcover ever so tightly. The burdens of her heart were seizing her at that moment, the guilt that racked every fibre of her being. Unable to take the stress, her knees buckled, collapsing onto the floor. Her soft whimpers, barely made in out between the sobbing of her tears.
...
She couldn't understand why.
Whatever happens, I need to move forward.
Whatever it takes.
"I am sorry..."
She murmured between sobs, rubbing the tears away with her sleeves.
It was disappointing, how Armin had to leave so quickly. Yet, the prospect of finishing the book he left behind, lingered deep between the recesses of her mind.
I want to be a good person to you.
At least.
...
...
...
Everything was great, Armin had managed to make many new friends during his first year. If anything, he wasn't his usual shy and awkward self. It had been tough trying to make friends with strangers prior to his entry into university. Let alone girls, who spell a different nightmare altogether.
Annie was the second next to Mikasa, that had willingly spent time to get to know Armin better.
...
She's just a friend, I am not ready for a relationship.
He shook his head frantically at a fleeting thought. The thought of it was too much for him to bear; Armin having felt undeserving from from time to time.
All the titan tests had taken a toll on Armin throughout the weeks. It was a miracle Armin could maintain his focus throughout the academic term. Annie's presence along with the precious time spent to dwell in it, was a small moment of respite for him in this cruel world.
(Flashback ends. Back to library in chapter 1.)
Few weeks had passed after their encounter in the library. With the mid-term exams nothing more than a distant memory, club activities have officially resumed. The freshmen squad strolled into the club room, revitalised and full of energy; They were sailing on cloud nine and no one could stop them.
As Eren swung the door open, he was met with the stern gaze of the scouts.
"SSSHHH!"
With Petra Ral hushing the freshmen as they strolled into the clubroom.
Intuition told Jean and Armin that something was wrong. The atmosphere felt unusually palpable; Having only been greeted only with a sombre silence that permeated the clubroom.
Sasha abruptly swallowed her sweet potato.
Connie promptly removed his playful hands from her hair.
Reiner and Bertolt looked at each other with visible confusion, their eyes widened with fear for what might come.
Ymir tightened her grip around Historia's shoulders, bringing her shuddering figure in for a comforting embrace. Likewise for Mikasa, Eren being imprudent as ever, swatted her hands aside in annoyance instead.
...
Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Erwin was the first to speak.
"We have a situation, please gather around."
The freshmen now surrounded themselves neatly about the meeting room. Petra locked the door shut behind them, the blinds were drawn and windows sealed shut. The other second-year club members were assigned to patrol the vicinity of the clubroom, keeping watch of nosy professors that may pass by from time to time.
The top brass of the scouts were seated about a wooden table. President of the club, Erwin Smith was seated at the end, surrounded by his squad leaders: Levi, Hanji and Mike.
...
Atop the table, there were copies of papers laid out in neat piles.
Curiosity got the better of Eren, hastily reaching towards it to grab a copy.
"Tsch..."
His hand was kicked away by an irritated Levi.
"Hey brat, what do you think you are doing?"
It was unnecessary and rude, particularly towards Eren.
Inevitably, Mikasa got upset. She brashly pushed her way through the crowd, eager to face off against's Humanity's strongest student. Luckily for her, Armin held onto her arms tightly, pulling her back.
Violence won't solve anything! Calm down!
Distraught, Mikasa looked at her childhood friend as she gradually came about to her senses. Armin released his hold on her, breathing a sigh of relief.
The issue still remained at large, the papers leaving a fascinating yet familiar sensation, as though Armin had encountered it before.
It was at the corner of his eye, followed by a nervous gulp from Jean that Armin finally confirmed what was before them. As Armin studied the contents of the stack from afar, his eyes widened at the realisation with each passing second.
...
"These are the past year titan's tests..."
Armin knew that the scouts dabbled in illegal school business, using the cover of "Research and exploration club" to cover their trails. However, smuggling and stockpiling titan tests papers were on another level altogether.
It was a clear breach of conduct to steal school property; A serious offence with unbearable consequences to boot. If the professors ever caught wind of this, the higher ups of the school would be brought in, the club would be disbanded and expulsion would be imminent.
Resorting to such means to preserve our academic standing, I don't even know if it is worth it.
Levi held out his hand, effectively silencing the panicked freshmen yet again.
"Calm down, the meeting is about to begin."
...
Hanji Zoe, leader of second squad rose from her seat.
"Two of our tests papers have went missing yesterday night. The thief had the keys to our room and knew exactly where we hid the papers. If these test papers ended up in the hands of the professors, it would only be a matter of time before they find out the culprits and trace it to our club. It would spell the end of our time here in university."
That's strange, if the thieves were in this room, why would he make this information public?
...
"Levi and freshmen, I need you guys to stay back for a bit."
Erwin locked the doors as squad leaders Mike and Hanji cleared the remaining students from the clubroom.
There were more things to discuss.
"It was clear that the culprit was not working alone. The person could not have known where we kept the test papers unless he or she was working with a mole."
The rest of the nervously freshmen glanced at each other, this incident was new to the scouts. This would mean that the thieves were most likely from the newest batch of students. It would be natural for some of them to be singled out for suspicious activity.
Jean raised up his hand.
"If I may ask, what are the topics of the stolen test papers?"
"Material Science..."
...
...
...
"And forensics."
...
"It couldn't be"
"Huh Armin what are you saying?"
"Oh...Nothing."
It was only an hour ago that they were still lazing about in the recreational lounge. Faintly recalling an unusual article sticking out of Annie's book. It was slightly yellowed, which indicated signs of aging. The way she hurriedly tried to pack her belongings into her bag all amounted to Armin's suspicion.
The final blow came as he did in fact notice some of the words printed onto said article.
"Titan test: Forensics..."
Annie was willing to jeopardise the futures of the scouts, for her own personal academic success was alone hard to believe. Armin had always known Annie to be not only quiet and reserve, but kind to those around her, even if there weren't many in the first place.
Furthermore, she was a part of the prestigious school counsellors; Students that report in issues to the higher management through direct communication. Only the top 10 best students of each cohort can join the ranks of the school counsellors. One didn't need to just be academically adept, but also bear an excellent character conduct in their previous schools.
Armin couldn't believe it, with all of his heart he gripped on sentiments he held so dearly. Yet all the facts were laid out as clear as day. Armin's grip tightened till his fingers turned white, with glistening sweat droplets sliding down his forehead.
Sorry Annie.
...
...
...
"Armin, since when did you start looking at me this way."
The school garden was suspiciously quiet, with no one in sight. Usually at this time of the day, the members of the gardening club would be wandering around, taking specimens and research samples from the rich botany that were neatly arranged across beautiful rainbow coloured tiles.
This time, only Eren, Mikasa and Armin were there. Annie's was dismayed at the two new additions.
"Annie...why?"
Annie could see the tears forming on Armin's eyelids; It was too painful to watch. Turning her head away to avoid his gaze, maintaining her classic pokerface throughout their conversation, seemingly indifferent to her close friend.
Inside however, she was crushed. Knowing that the person she held so preciously to her heart, will never look at her the same way again.
"Who knows? If you knew I was the one then why did you wait so long?"
...
"Because I couldn't believe it Annie... I just couldn't! You would have reported us know your position in the school counsellors to keep your position secure. Why didn't you?"
Even despite everything, Armin still believed in me.
Eren pulled Armin back, stepping in front of him.
"Hey now Annie! You can just prove you are some idiot by just following us!"
...
The rustling of leaves, the sounds of water flowing down a stream.
Why does it have to be this way?
That's right. Why did I spare you?
Mikasa could not stand all this half-assed diplomacy, it was pointless. Swiftly bring up her hand and pointing an accusing finger towards Annie.
"I have enough! Show yourself forward you thief."
...
I don't know and I don't really care anymore.
Someone get me out of here.
Please, I beg you.
Armin...
She cackled outlandishly; Similar to the gentle laughter of a little girl. It wasn't normal, borderline eerie even. The accumulation of weight on her shoulders were too much to bear. The pressure cracking her wide open like an egg shell, with her anguish, pain and sorrow pouring out in endless waves.
...
Ever so slowly, Annie pulled out the test paper from her side pocket and waving it precariously in front of them.
Armin face paled as he heard the familiar voices of botany professors about to enter the garden.
"My bet begins now."
...
A snap.
The frantic footsteps that surged towards Annie like a tidal wave.
As if on cue, the scouts materialised from within the bushes, reaching out to Annie. However, Annie was faster. Just as the scouts reached out towards the article wedged between her fingers, she abruptly swerved her figure sideways. The oncoming figures, were sent flying headfirst into the bushes.
Her lightning fast reflexes combined with martial arts training, she made short work of the initial wave of pursuers. A few well placed kicks around their joints rendered the scouts momentarily incapacitated. Not wanting to stick around for a fight with the Ackerman, Annie sprinted away from the scene with the forensics test paper in tow.
Mikasa scowled, leaping ahead to engage her target, given her unique natural athletic ability. It would only be a matter of time before she catches up with Annie.
Armin and Eren followed behind her, albeit slowly.
...
Hanji's squad blocked her way towards the botany professors, I have to find another way.
They are closing in on me from all directions, maybe I can find a way out of this school.
Dammit.
...
...
...
My friends...
Jean, Connie and Sasha who were stationed near the carpark tried restraining Annie, blocking off her means of escape. Yet all their pleas and reasons; Convincing her to surrender felt nothing more than noise.
Why was I doing this to them?
She gracefully dodged pass them; Her petite yet elegant figure providing adequate space for her to manoeuvre through.
The entrance was just ahead of her.
I don't know...
Part of me just wanted to disappear...
The oncoming headlights became increasingly intense from the corner of her eyes.
The blast of a horn.
...
BAM!
It was the sickening sound of a limp body, collapsing onto the heated tarmac.
The car doors swung open. It was professor Nick scrambling out of his car, his head was reeling from the turn of events. Confusion and disbelief swept him as he stared at the unconscious figure splayed out across the floor.
"What the hell is going on here?"
...
It couldn't be real.
Damn you Annie.
Jean gritted his teeth, calling out instructions to his team members.
"Sasha! Call the ambulance! Connie help me cordon off the area!"
...
No way.
Eren turned his face away, his facial features cringed tightly as he placed his hands on Armin's shoulders.
It couldn't be real.
Armin's breathing rhythm was taking a turn for the worst.
His knees buckled, his emotions now running lower than ever.
His floodgates were no longer able to withstand the pressure.
The tears that he held back were now streaming out in full force.
...
Kneeling beside her, Armin placed his own hand onto hers, intertwining her delicate fingers with his. His pitiful murmurs no louder than a mere whisper, effectively silenced by the approaching sound of sirens.
Annie, I am so sorry. I AM SO SORRY.
Don't die...
Please...
...
...
...
"Armin! The tes..Mmph!"
Much to Mikasa's protests, Jean placed his hand over Eren's mouth. If Professor Nick notices the exam paper lying in her hands, the scouts will be finished. Jean, Mikasa and Eren could only watch helplessly as Pastor Nick slowly and steadily walked towards the front of his car.
Crap, at this rate we can't do anything suspicious with him around!
Professor Nick is going to notice the test paper on her hand, if he inspects Annie, we are thru.
The distance is too great, not even Mikasa could make that gap in time.
It's too late!
...
"Tsch."
It was like a flash of lightning before their very eyes.
In a blink of an eye, the test paper hovering from Annie's unconscious grasp disappeared. With Levi appearing beside them from out of the blue, stealthily tucking the paper into his pocket, away from Professor Nick's line of sight.
"Hey brats someone here is in a coma, clear out of the area."
Turning around, he bowed down as a mere act of apology.
...
"Sorry professor, these are first year brats that are still playing around during this time of emergency. I will address their imprudent behaviour shortly."
Professor Nick could only sigh as he palmed his forehead, wiping the sweat with his sleeves.