Depths of Misfortune

by elephantpainting

The world is cruel to her in many ways, but Sasha constantly reminds herself that everything could be much worse. However, after an unfortunate run-in with some titans during a mission out of the walls had rendered her blind, is she able to hold up that positivity? Or will she end up being nothing, just like how she seems to be in the eyes of the boy she can't stop thinking about?

01: Prologue - How It All Begins

Sasha watched with a pained expression marring her previously carefree features, watching as the man sitting opposite her followed Mikasa's every action and move with his eyes. She had abruptly ceased all talking on her part for a full ten minutes now and the fact that Jean very obviously did not take the slightest bit of notice greatly disturbed her.

Connie, feeling uncomfortable with the asphyxiating atmosphere, cleared his throat while the corners of his lips tugged up to form an awkward smile. "Hey, it's getting late, isn't it? Let's go back," he offered, though was quick to realize that his suggestion had fallen on deaf ears. Sasha was too busy staring at Jean who was staring at Mikasa, and to be honest? Connie really didn't want to stick around to witness any more of this tragic love story. So with a resigned sigh, the young soldier took his leave, muttering bitterly to himself about how nobody would even notice anyway.

"Jean," Sasha called softly, pushing for a second attempt at conversation with this boy. His lack of response made her gulp, but she continued anyway. "Maybe we should have breakfast together tomorrow, you know? Before our mission? I-it's just a suggestion! It's completely fine if you-"

"Sorry, Sasha. Later," Jean flashed a quick sheepish smile her way before getting up and running out of the door that Mikasa had just stepped out of. Feeling her heart growing heavier and heavier, Sasha chose to busy herself with finishing Jean's untouched food instead, seeing as how hers had been eagerly devoured quite some time ago. Gripping her utensils with more force than necessary, the young brunette forced herself to smile – because in this world, she had a tenfold of other pressing concerns that she had to tend to. Something as trivial as one-sided love shouldn't bother her this much.

Sasha Braus was better than that.

Keeping in mind that her plight could be much worse, Sasha managed to ease her pain, even if it was only a tentative remedy. But as she began her short walk back to the girl's dormitory, she couldn't help but wonder to herself what exactly would get the attention of the one and only Jean Kirschtein. And as she found herself in front of her destination, Sasha spared one last glance at the boy's dormitory before entering the warmth of her assigned cabin to retire for the night.