A/N: Hey guys, I'm back with another chapter! I'm sorry it took so long, I hadn't realised it had been three months. Now as some of you may know, I was planning on making this chapter my last but then had second thoughts after reading all your comments. So rest assured, this isn't the end. (Maybe the next chapter) The last thing I want to do is drag this story on and make it worse. So I'd be making one long chapter or 2 more chapters, if I can fit everything in. Which brings me to this question, is there anything that you feel is yet to be answered in this story? Did I leave something out or did I mention something then just forgot about it? If so, let me know and I'll see if I can shed some light on it in the next chapter(s).

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter and please leave a comment down below and let me know you're thoughts. Special thanks to Sentinel07

for always reviewing my chapters, I really do appreciate it. And shadowbird2103 for your comment. Thank you! :)

Candles lit up the small, white room as a dark shroud covered the sky, and the white moon rose over them. It was late at night, and Commander Erwin, Levi, Hanji and Eren were all downstairs in the large dining room discussing their next move. Everyone else was told to get some sleep as they may be leaving early, but that didn't stop the 104th Squad from gathering in Mikasa's room to see how she was doing. Armin was seated on the chair by Mikasa's bedside where Mikasa was sat up. Ymir, Reiner and Bertolt stood leaning against the back wall whilst Jean stood by the foot of the bed, nearest to the door. Connie sat on the window ledge, gazing out at the stars every now and then whilst Sasha and Krista sat just behind Armin in their own chairs.

Sasha was the first to come in, a huge grin plastered on her face as she greeted Mikasa, giving her some of her leftover bread from dinner along with a bone-crushing hug, sobbing about how she thought they'd "lost her" and how it was "so great that you're alive." In the end, it took Armin and Connie all of their strength to pry Sasha off of her because they feared that either Sasha would further injure Mikasa or Mikasa would have everyone else in the room all lying in beds, bruised and bandaged.

Everyone greeted her warmly as they came in and just like Sasha, had snuck food from dinner up to her room, setting their candles carefully around the room so they could see. Krista asked if there anything she could do, and Ymir merely acknowledged her with a nod and stood at the far end, like she was only there because of Krista - she probably was.

Mikasa was touched that they had all come to see her despite how late it was, and even bringing food and water up with them in case she hadn't eaten. It showed that she was missed, and even though she wouldn't say it, she really did appreciate it. Though there was only one thing missing that would have made this moment a happy one: Eren. She kept looking towards the door as each person walked through it, but when Jean stepped in and slowly closed the door behind him, she knew he wasn't here.

As if he read her thoughts, Connie said: "He's downstairs. He has to discuss something with commander Erwin and the rest."

Mikasa nodded, feeling slightly relieved. So it wasn't because he didn't want to see her, it was because he couldn't. Conversations soon got started between the group about various things from titan theories to Sasha's favorite food to future plans and what Mikasa had missed.

It had taken them a while, but they had finally gone through the plan with Eren. It still needed some work done to it, Commander Erwin told him, but the main task would remain the same. Feeling tired and weak, Eren clambered up the steps to get to his room.

I'll stop by Mikasa's room on the way and see how she's doing, Eren thought to himself as he dragged his body up the stairs and down the cold, dimly lit hallway. Seeing her room come into view, he felt more eager to get there. He hadn't spoken to her in so long, and he had so much to tell her.

"It would be best to stay away from him, he's not who he was anymore."

"What do you mean? He gets angry sometimes, but we all do."

"Not like this. He's lost control one too many times. I fear what may be happening to him," Armin said sadly. He spoke like he was hoping someone would disagree with him and tell him that he was wrong, that he was overthinking things. Unfortunately, it was only silence that filled the room.

"He tried to kill me," Jean said from the other side of the room. No reaction was made by anyone in the room apart from Mikasa, who looked at him in disbelief. There was no "What are you talking about? Don't be so dramatic" or "You just had a little argument, he was hardly going to kill you" at all. The silence told Mikasa that this wasn't a joke or an exaggeration, and their faces confirmed it.

"What?"

Mikasa's tone was odd. It sounded angry but there was a hint of laughter behind it like she couldn't believe what she was hearing, but if it was a joke then that would make more sense than the supposed truth.

"Jean, I know you don't like Eren but saying things like that is –"

"It's true," Ymir cut in coldly.

Mikasa looked at Ymir then straight towards Armin, who sat inches away from her. He was looking down at the floor, his elbows resting on his knees and his blond hair fell in front of his face, covering it. He couldn't bring himself to look into her eyes and tell her something she wouldn't want to hear. He deliberately left this part of their journey out when he was talking to her earlier because he knew he wouldn't be able to. He couldn't predict what she would do, even now in this deafening silence, he still didn't know what would happen. Mikasa could hear her heart beat rising, she felt angry to say the least, and her anger was somehow directed at Armin and then towards everyone else in the room. Why wasn't he defending him? Eren was their friend, they knew him better than anyone else in this room and yet there he was, sitting, avoiding eye contact, just accepting everybody's statements as though they were fact.

Mikasa had enough; she needed to say something. If he wasn't going to defend him then she would.

"You're wrong," she spoke, drawing everyone's attention to her. "You're all wrong, I know Eren, he would never–"

"We can only tell you what happened Mikasa." Sasha finally spoke for the first time, even she sounded like she wanted to be proven wrong. "You didn't see him back there, he was…different...like it wasn't Eren; it was someone else. He wouldn't listen to anyone. It was like the more Armin pleaded, the more determined he was to…" Sasha trailed off, shuddering as she did so, the memory from that night still fresh in her mind like a recently watched horror movie.

"Notice how even Armin isn't saying anything. It's because he knows it's true. He's turned into a monster. There's no telling what he could do next or who his next target is," Jean added, not even trying to hide his hatred for the green-eyed boy who almost tried to kill him.

"Armin!"

Mikasa looked at the blond who was still sat motionless in that same position. Armin flinched at the sound of her voice: it was cold and indifferent. It sounded so unfamiliar to him and he didn't like it. Everything was slowly changing: Eren…Mikasa…was it really the end for this trio? Water droplets fell on hands and Armin realized he was crying. He blinked a few times and his vision got clearer. He finally looked up and met Mikasa's sad eyes. She didn't want to believe it. But a small part of her already did, he could see it.

"I'm sorry, Mikasa," Armin sniffled.

Mikasa's eyes grew wide. This wasn't what she wanted to hear.

"Everything they've said is true. We've lost Eren. Captain Levi…already finalized the plan to retake Zhiganshina with Commander Erwin, before it's too late."

"Before what's too late?"

"They think…the more he turns into his titan form, the more he loses his humanity. His anger is slowly spreading from person to person, even his goal of defeating the titans…it's like he's giving up already."

"Even back at Castle Utgard, before he came to save you, he was hesitant. He didn't want to fight them," Reiner joined in.

"Spontaneous bursts of anger, delayed reactions and hesitation during battle…it's not right," Krista spoke, mainly to herself, but loud enough for everyone else to hear.

Outside in the hall, Eren had heard enough. His own comrades were doubting him. Forget comrades; his own friend - his only friend - and now, Mikasa. He had no idea how Armin felt. He never even mentioned it. But maybe he didn't have to. Maybe Eren should have realized that he was getting out of control and that he was becoming one of them. It wasn't like the thought had never crossed his mind; it had. Every night. But if no one brought it up, then maybe it wasn't true. Maybe he was just thinking about it too much. Or maybe they were just scared of confronting him.

Eren wanted nothing more than to run into that room and take Mikasa away from them, to tell them they were all wrong and that what they were saying were lies. He was still the same boy she met a few years ago. He was still Eren. He didn't want them filling her head with all these bad thoughts about him. Mikasa was the only one he knew would never leave his side. Every time she spoke and refuted their argument, he felt some form of hope. She was the one thing keeping him from losing his mind.

"You don't know him. You don't understand. Have you even tried talking to him? Hearing his side of the story? Or did you all just jump to that ridiculous conclusion?"

"Speak to him? With that volatile maniac? You'd be lucky to even get a greeting from that bastard. Just the other day he had a go at Sasha over here, for no good reason. Now who could get mad at Sasha?" Jean asked.

"You always get mad at Sasha," Connie countered.
"Yeah…but not for no reason," Jean responded.

"Then I'll talk to him," Mikasa said abruptly. Everyone once again looked at her as though she was crazy.

"What, are you crazy? You can't! Captain's orders. You need to stay away from him!" Sasha yelled unintentionally, jumping out of her seat. Realising she spoke louder than she intended, she sat back down in her seat.

"I don't care. Why are you all treating him like he's the enemy? He's far from one. No one wants this to end more than him. And Armin, I'm ashamed of you. I thought you of all people would understand," she scolded.

Armin looked away from her again, feeling even more down than he was before. She was right, what kind of friend was he? Everyone was turning against his only friend and he joined in with them. He followed everyone else's judgments and failed to make his own.

"He won't listen to you. Don't you remember what happened the last time you spoke to him? Or did that fall you had erase your memory," Ymir spoke, bluntly. Krista frowned at her, as if telling her to keep quiet.

"How did you know what happened?" Mikasa questioned, looking at Armin for an answer rather than Ymir.

"We all know: one of the soldiers heard you two arguing that day and put it into his statement for Captain Levi," Armin replied meekly.

"What he said was inexcusable," Jean said, his voice filled with disgust.

"He didn't mean it!" Mikasa replied curtly.

"You mean just like he didn't mean to kill me? I bet he hasn't even said sorry to you yet has he?" Jean's voice had risen slightly. He was beginning to get annoyed with how Mikasa would defend Eren no matter what.

Mikasa didn't respond. She didn't even know what to say. Everyone was against her, and doubt was starting to creep into her head.

Eren pressed his ear against the door, but couldn't hear anything. He began silently cursing to himself. He still hadn't apologized to her yet for what he had done. He let his anger get in the way again and went for Captain Levi rather than speaking to her like he had intended to. He slowly raised his hand and held onto the handle, he needed to say something, now. Taking a deep breath he readied himself to open the door. He would tell her everything that had been on his mind since she had left and then she would understand. But before he could pull down the handle he heard her voice.

"I…guess you're right."

Eren let go of the handle. He felt like his heart was ready to burst. He looked down at the floor, his vision becoming blurry as water came up to the surface. He could hear more voices coming from inside the room and they were getting louder. But he couldn't make sense of it, all he could hear was white noise.

Fuelled by emotion, he soon found himself walking back down the long staircase and out of the large wooden doors. He felt like everyone was against him. Captain Levi planned out the Zhiganshina mission as soon as he could before Eren completely lost it, and now he was keeping Mikasa away from him.

Armin doesn't talk to me the way he used to anymore. Everyone else tries to avoid me whenever they can and…she still doesn't know how I feel.