Chapter 4
"What was that about? He's so awkward." I say, as I turn to Marco and Jean, who are still giggling like five year olds.
"You're telling me you really didn't get it?"
"Of course she doesn't, Robin is a bit oblivious to people having feelings for her."
"What are you two on about?" I demand, Marco sighs.
"Robin, Bertolt likes you. Obviously." He says, gesturing to the mess hall
"That's why he was so nervous?" I ask
"Yeah." Jean says
"You're lying. I barely know him! He barely knows me! We rarely talk, he's just helped me out a few times. That's all." I say, my face heating up. Marco rolls his eyes.
"He really helps you out a lot doesn't he?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Robin, that guy is trying to silently win you over! You're oblivious!"
"No I'm not! You're wrong. We're barely even friends. Get your head out of the gutter Marco. I mean, remember that one time, when we were kids and you told me that the boy next door liked me and it turned out that he actually liked you and was just trying to get nice with me, so he could get with you." I point out, Marco flushes a deep shade of red as Jean gives him appraising look.
"T-that's not what matters. Besides Jean sees it too, don't you?" Marco questions, looking at Jean.
"Well I mean, Robin has a point, they never really talk. Bertolt's a nice guy, he could just genuinely be very helpful. On the other hand, he could just want to get into your pants." He says, as he gets up stretching out.
"You two are idiots!" I say, stomping away.
"G'night Robin!"
"Whatever!"
- TIME SKIP -
Of course now that Marco and Jean have decided that Bert has feelings for me, I can't help but notice that he acts different around me. Or at least that he's always around me. When we're training, he's always in the same group, when we eat we're always sitting across from each other. When I go to bed, he walks that way too, even though I know for a fact his barrack is in the opposite direction.
It doesn't have to mean anything though. He's always watching Annie too. If he's not watching me (I've learned to feel his eyes on me) he's watching her. What's truly strange is the acidic feeling I get in my stomach when I see him watching her. Almost like, jealousy. Which can't be true. I mean I don't have feelings for Bertolt. I mean he's pretty handsome, and kind. He's also very shy, but personally I find it adorable. I don't think anything of him, besides the fact that I always seem to be thinking about him. His quiet laugh, and the way his eyes will dance when I happen to make him laugh. I definitely don't think about his soft smile, and the way I feel when he smiles at me. Or when I cause him to smile. I mean, I'm sure that all completely normal. Nothing strange about it at all. I just probably shouldn't mention it to Jean or Marco.
I sigh, and shift my weight from foot to foot. Now of course isn't exactly the time to be worrying about this sort of thing. The Commander has gather us all together, and has told we have a new exercise. Everyone seems a bit nervous, expect for of course Annie and Mikasa. Those two never seem to show any sort of emotion. I don't think I've seen either of them smile ever. The Commander is walking past me now, glowering at everyone as he passes us. We all salute him as he passes,
"At ease! Today, you are going on a new expedition. As you know this is not the first exercise you've been sent on. This to test your strength, however it's also to test your teamwork skills. Let's see how well you work in pairs, which are assigned by me." Everyone shifts, the commander is the worst at picking groups and partners. He always pairs the worst people together, though I suppose he always intends to do that. To show us how we need to overcome the petty shit we fight about.
"You two will be working with each other. If one of you fails, the other will too. Is this understood?"
The entire squad salutes again and calls
"Yes Sir!" as one.
In the end, however some people don't look like they'll survive the end of this exercise, simply given who their partners are.
Eren and Jean are with each (which terrifies me slightly)
Sasha is with Annie, Connie with Mikasa, Ymir is paired with Armin, Marco and Reiner are paired together and that leaves at the end, Bert, Krista and I.
"Lenz! You will be sitting this mission out. Evan, Hoover you two will be paired together. I expect you all to report back in ten minutes! Now, pack up! You'll be heading out tonight." We head out, each person running back to their barracks.
Most of the girls are a bit upset about their partners.
"I wish I'd been paired up with Connie. He usually sneaks a lot of food with him." Sasha whines, as she packs up her clothes.
"Why do I get to sit this one out? Isn't there enough people for me to pair up with?" Krista says as she watches us.
"I've got to be with Mr. Book-Nerd, it's going to be a boring exercise." Ymir grumbles as Mikasa gives her a pointed glare.
"Armin's pretty nice." I say simply, not sure how to feel about being paired with Bert. Ymir looks at me strangely, and Mikasa gives me a slight nod in thanks.
"Think Marco's gonna make it through this one Robin?" Ymir teases, her eyes flashing with laughter. I shrug.
"He's probably the safest out of all of us, same for Connie. Mikasa and Reiner are the strongest. Besides Marco knows how to think on his feet."
"What's the deal with you two? Huh? Are you guys dating? Friends with benefits? I know you two aren't related, you look nothing alike, and you both have different last names. Marco even goes to visit his parents sometimes, but you never go with. Why is that?" Ymir questions, leaning in close.
"Marco and I grew up together." I say simply, not bothering to explain the relationship any further. In all honesty, Marco is my best friend. Of course there was a time, a very short period of time, right around the time that Ryan died when I was in love with Marco. Of course he never knew, and it never mattered. Ymir frowns, not happy with the answer but doesn't push me any further.
-TIME SKIP-
I can't help but shiver as we trudge forward.
"Cold?" asks Bert, his breath visible in the cold air.
"Yeah a little."
"We're almost there."
"I know."
"Oh, yeah right. Of course."
"So."
"So?"
"Do you like Annie?" the words are out of my mouth before I even realize what I'm saying. I silently curse Marco and Jean. Fucking assholes. Putting stupid ideas in my head. Bertolt has stopped, and stares at me for a minute.
"Well. I do. I think. I mean, it's hard to describe. We've never really spoken, but she reminds me a lot of someone I used to know. From my hometown, and I really cared about that person. Maybe that's why. But honestly there's someone else, someone I really care about, that I uh. I have feelings for, I guess."
"Who is it?" I demand, then realize what I'm saying again. "I mean, if you don't want to tell me that's fine."
"Well, I'd um. Rather not. I'm sorry."
"It's fine. I mean, we don't know each other very well."
"I think that the whole point of this exercise was to get to know each other better."
"I guess that'd make sense."
"Yeah, that'd explain the pairs then."
"It would. So what's with you and Marco?" Bert asks, his voice cool and causal for the first time we've ever spoken.
"Uh, we're just close. What about you and Reiner?"
"We grew up in the same hometown."
"Really? Where?"
"One of the mountain villages in Wall Maria."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"What about you?"
"I'm from the same district as Marco, we grew up together."
"Oh. What about your family? What are they like? Any siblings?" In an instant, my heart drops.
"I never met my parents really. My older brother raised me."
"Oh. I'm sorry. Is he the reason that you have to join the Scout Regiment?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry. You probably don't want to talk about it."
"It's okay. I mean, everyone is going to ask me about it eventually. I set myself up when I freaked out. I realize that."
"You know you're really strong." My face flushes,
"Thanks. You know, I've seen you in hand-to-hand, you're really good."
"R-really? T-thanks."
"Of course." I say, my face feels hot enough that you could cook a meal on it. We walk in silence for a while, slowly trudging through the snow to the point we need to reach for the second part of the exercise.
After a while, I've begun shivering uncontrollably.
"Are you okay Robin?" Bert asks, as he eyes me cautiously. I debate lying, then decide that it's just better if I tell him how I really am doing.
"N-n-no. I-I-I'm r-r-re-really c-c-cold." I say, stuttering over my words and I continue to shiver. He stops, looking at me, frowning.
"C'mon here." He says, as he gestures to himself.
"W-why?" I ask, as I walk up to him. He scoops me up in his arms, cradling me to his chest, covering me with the blanket I had packed.
"Hopefully this will help, but you have to promise not to fall asleep on me. Okay?"
"O-okay." I say, still shivering from the cold air, which feels like it's bitten into my bones.
"Seriously Robin, talk to me. Tell me about growing up with Marco. What was he like as a kid?' I smile faintly, remembering how crazy we both used to be.
"Marco was an idiot. He got into a lot of fights."
"Really? He now he's the one stopping them."
"I know. He could never finish the fights either. Lucky for him, Ryan taught me how to defend myself. I've been taking care of Marco for as long as I can remember. All of the boys in our old village used to make fun of him. They said I was his little guard dog. Marco used to get so embarrassed. Of course, sometimes, Marco would have to help me with things."
"With what kind of things?"
"Anything that had to do with height. I haven't grown an inch since I was like eight years old. Marco on the other hand, has just constantly getting taller and taller. It's kind of maddening." Bert laughs.
"I know; Reiner has always been on me for being so tall. He says it's funny. I could be really intimidating at my height but instead, he says I might as well be a mouse."
"There's nothing wrong with being quiet."
"That's what I've always said."
"I know. Jean says he has to be loud enough for me and Marco."
"I guess I could see that."
"I don't know if I should be offended or not." I say, laughing hollowly.
"I-uh, I didn't mean to offend you. Be-besides your l-like the best person in our squad." Bert says, avoiding my eyes.
"Why are you so nice to me?"
"W-what do you mean?"
"I mean; you always help me out. You're always complimenting me. I'm sure there are nicer people in the squad. So why are you nice to me? We usually don't talk much, or do much of anything together. So why me?" I ask, as I desperately look at his face, willing him to look down at me.
"B-b-because, I think you deserve to be noticed. You are so quiet about everything. You never ask anyone for help, maybe because you think you don't need. You're so strong, and it amazes me. No one ever seems to notice you, maybe because of your height. I see you though." He says, his voice getting lower and lower as he continues. He carries me in silence for a while, my body still slightly cold.
"I-I'm sorry. I d-didn't m-mean to m-m-make you un-c-comfortable." He says, I can tell, how bright his face is even in the pale moonlight.
"It's fine. It's just. No one's ever said anything like that to me before."
"R-really? I think you're a-amazing." Now it as my turn for my face to turn red,
"T-t-thanks."
"Your welcome."
"You know; I should be fine to walk now."
"Oh! Right! Of course!" he says, putting me down lightly.
"So, not much farther right?"
"Right."
"Well let's hurry up, maybe we'll beat Marco and Reiner back!" I say, as I run forward.
My enthusiasm is short lived. In fact, a few minutes later, Bert and I are both starting to freak out. Because, with our great luck, we're caught in a snow storm, and to make matters worse we're lost.
"Uh, let's not panic. We should just try to um, find shelter?"
"But where? I can't see a thing in this, and our torch is long gone." I say, as I squint into the snowy darkness around us.
"Let's just go straight, maybe we'll come across a cave or something. We're close to the outer wall, there should be something around here." Bert says, as he leads me forward.
"Okay then." And we're off.
-TIME SKIP-
"Nothing yet?" I ask, as I look up at Bert.
"Uh, no. Nothing yet. Don't worry we'll find something. I promise." He says, as he looks down at me guiltily.
"Hey, this isn't your fault. We both got lost, okay?"
"I-I have better experience though; I should have realized what was happening. I should have seen the storm coming."
"Because you can predict weather fluctuations?"
"Um. Well no. I mean the other boys say my sleeping positions do but, I don't particularly believe it."
"So how were you supposed to be able to tell that there was a storm coming?"
"I guess I couldn't have."
"Exactly! Now, help us get out of this storm. I'm sure it could be worse; we could be attacked by wolves or something."
"I hope not." Bert says, shakily, as we continue forward.
"Oh come on Bret it'll be- "I stop as a low growl interrupts my voice. My body still in fear, I was just joking about the wolf's god damn it. Bert slows his breathing, and grabs my arm.
"Be very still, and quiet. Any sudden movements could provoke them." My entire body is shaking as I feel the wolves brush up against me.
"O-okay." I say, stumbling over my words.
"Don't be afraid. That'll scare them." He says, his voice for once oddly calm.
"B-but Bert, I'm scared." I whimper as one of the wolves circling us growls.
"I know Robin, just stay calm. I'll get you out of this." I don't respond but merely whimper. "Shah." Bert hisses, as the wolf growls louder. My entire body is quaking in fear, "I'm going to lure them away, and when I do you run for the nearest tree and climb up as far as you can, okay?"
"Bert! You'll get hurt, what if they attack you?"
"I'll be fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Now do you understand?"
"I do."
"Okay, on three."
"One."
"Two
"Three!" With that, we both run in opposite directions, one of the wolves nips at me, but I'm running faster than I ever have before. I clamber up the tree quickly, surprised with how well I've climbed up. Meanwhile, I can hear the wolves growling and whimpering. Then I hear Bert yell out, but I can't see him.
"Bert?" I call out, terrified that he won't respond. It turns out though, that the wolf at the base of the tree is all too happy to respond. It leaps up onto its hind legs, growling and snapping at my dangling feet. I attempt to pull them up, hoping that the wolf can't jump up high enough to cause me any actual damage. That is of course until the branch I'm sitting on creaks.
Oh god. It's going to break. The branch is going to break, and I'm going to fall. This wolf is going to eat me. I am going to die here. In the woods. Bert is hurt. I can barely move I'm shaking so much. Then, just as the branch creaks again, the wolf is gone, replaced by Bert. Who is grinning up at me.
"They're gone. The wolves, I drew them away." I breath heavily, my body still shaking. That is of course until the branch holding me collapses onto Bert, knocking him unconscious.
Author's note!
HI! This is a long one! It's crazy! Anyways, tell me what you think!
I know that technically (at least in the manga) Krista is paired up with Ymir and Dez, but I really didn't want to write him into the story, so we're going with this chain of events.
Please vote, and comment!
Lots of love for my cupcake vampires,
ScaryAry