I do not own Attack on Titan, Hajime Isayama does.

Recap of Niccolo's Situation:

While most of his comrades were scattered throughout the Walls and given either jobs that suited their backgrounds or miscellaneous work (under supervision) Niccolo and a handful of others (including Captain Koch) have been working at the harbor. Since their arrival on the island, Niccolo and the remaining Marleyans at the harbor have been doing one of two things. Repainting the purchased ships so that they bear the nine-point star symbol that the Walls use, or helping Paradisian engineers as they build their own.

When Niccolo wasn't helping paint or moving metal and tools so the engineers could work, his cooking skills made him the unofficial cook for both the Paradisian and Marleyans on the harbor. Tents were provided for them at night to sleep in while their ship was repurposed.

Chapter 3: Food and Espionage

"Hey, so what happened to the Eldians that we sent over here?" Nicolo asks a Paradisian engineer while bringing him his tools out of curiosity.

"Oh, I don't really follow up," says the engineer. "But from what I heard almost a quarter of them split off and built their own place in the forest. New Liberio, they call it. The rest stayed in Shinganshina."

"I live there," another worker says. "Some of them still wear their armbands. Others don't. They do whatever jobs they did back in Marley here. A few of them call us devils and think they are better, some get along with us just fine. And granted, some of our people aren't so friendly to them for their attitude. I try to be nice though."

Niccolo nods, understanding that.

It is a nice day. The kind that is warm but breezy. Niccolo had prepared stromboli, pizza, and other foods for his co-workers. Both Eldian and Marleyan. Some of the shifters were there too, specifically Jean, Sasha, and Connie. They visit often to make sure their captors aren't abusing their authority. Sasha and Connie in particular mentioned that they also come for lunch, to Jeans' annoyance. As usual, Sasha was chowing down.

"How do you like it?" Niccolo asks the shifters out of curiosity.

"Delicious, as always," Jean commented.

"Not as good as the sea food, but amazing," Connie says.

"So good…" Sasha says as she scarfs down her fourth piece of stromboli.

"Easy Potato-Devil-Girl, save some for the rest of us."

Niccolo sends a glare to the Marleyan who said that, but Sasha continues eating, ignoring him.

"Mmm, Niccolo you really should have become a chef," Sasha says.

"Yeah, you would like that, wouldn't you?" Niccolo asks, slightly teasing. "One less enemy soldier for Paradis to fight against?"

Sasha swallows.

"No, I'm serious," Sasha says. "Your food is amazing! You have such talent."

When she says this Niccolo tries to hide his grin and his blush.

"Well, cooking has always been a hobby of mine," Niccolo says. "So I've experimented with a few different things."

"Hmm, you love cooking Fischer," Captain Koch says. "Just out of curiosity why didn't you become a chef?"

"Oh well, you know. My father is in the military. My brothers. My grandfather. So that's just kind of the path I was directed towards."

Once she hears this, Sasha stops eating and stares at Niccolo.

"But you wanted to be a soldier too, right?" Sasha asks.

"Yeah, of course," Niccolo says.

"You don't sound sure."

"I'm-"

Niccolo briefly thinks back to his childhood. For as long as he could remember his parents (mostly his father) had been telling him that he should join the military. That it is a Fischer family tradition. That it's a great honor. That it's a man's duty to serve their great nation. That if he doesn't, all that will be left to represent Marley's military is Eldian conscripts. And any time he would mention cooking it was brushed aside.

"…I am honored to serve my country," Niccolo says simply. "Of course now I'm serving the enemy, so not so much right now."

Some of the Marleyans snicker. Some of the Paradisians glare at him. Sasha just looks at him strangely. She is about to speak but she is cut off.

"So what's with the name Potato-Girl?" Griez asks. "I don't get it."

Connie and Jean burst out laughing while Sasha crosses her arms and pouts.

"Oh, that's a funny story," Jean says.

"So it was our first day in military training," Connie starts. "The drill sergeant was hazing each of us. You know that though, right? They do that too back in Marley?"

"Of course," says a Marleyan soldier and some of the others nod in agreement.

"Anyways," Connie continues. "So, first he head-butted Jean for saying he enlisted so he could join the Military Police and live a comfy life in the interior."

Connie smugly grins then points at Jean with his thumb. Jean sends him an annoyed look.

"So, how did that work out for you?" a Marleyan soldier asks with a smug grin, prompting others to stifle their laughs.

"I got to the top ten," Jean says. "I could have been an MP, I chose this."

"Yeah it's true," Sasha admits. "You can blame Eren Jaeger for that. He made this big speech and all about not giving up. He's basically the island's motivational speaker."

"So anyways, he was hazing Connie because the moron saluted wrong," Jean smugly says looking at Connie, who rolls his eyes

"How do you salute wrong?" Niccolo asks before giving a Marleyan salute via bringing the side of his hand to his forehead.

"That's not how we salute," Jean says before making a fist and placing it over the left side of his chest. "This means we give our hearts to our people. Unless Connie's heart is on the right side."

"So yeah, he was lifting me up by the head, and then I heard a crunch," Connie turns to look at Sasha who averts her eyes in embarrassment. "So we all turn around and there's Sasha, eating a baked potato."

Nearly everyone at the table, Marleyan and Paradisian alike, burst out in laughter. Sasha blushes in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, what?" Niccolo asks between laughs. "Seriously, you were eating a potato, during training? You guys are joking, right?"

"It was a steamed potato, not a baked one," Sasha says.

"She took another bite, saluted with the potato in her hand, and then what did you tell Shadis, Sasha?" Connie asks, and Sasha sighs.

"It was getting cold, so I was giving it shelter in my stomach," Sasha says. "And I still haven't heard the end of it."

"But why would you eat a potato, during training?" Niccolo asks, confused. "Did it not seem inappropriate?"

"Hey, tell him what you asked Shadis when he asked you that," Connie tells Sasha.

Sasha sighs.

"Are you asking me why people eat potatoes?"

Everyone laughs again, some spit out their drinks and others smack their foreheads.

"And then…" Connie presses.

"I offered him half."

More laughter.

"You said it was half but it was more like a third."

More laughter.

"And then he said you could either run until the sun set or go without supper. What did you go with?"

"Running."

Even more laughter.

"You can't be serious!" Captain Koch asks while clutching his head and laughing like a hyena. "How did you stay in the military?!"

"Hey, Sasha's the best shooter out of all of us," Jean says. "Even if she does steal potatoes and meat from our superiors."

Half the Marleyans are gob-struck hearing this. But others are laughing harder.

"I'm sorry, you STOLE the food from your superiors?" asks Captain Koch. "How are you even still alive?"

"Right after that Bertolt went colossal again and broke down another wall so everyone kind of just forgot about it," Sasha says with a shrug.

"Anything else she's stolen?" Griez asks, half critically.

"No but she did bite my hand once," Jean says.

Niccolo spit out his drink. A sudden flash of his teachers telling him that Eldians naturally crave human flesh came to mind.

"I can explain," Sasha says defensively. "So this was a long time after. There wasn't a lot of meat since the wall fell so when we were told that we were getting meat that night, the first time in a long time, we all got pretty crazy."

"You're the only person we had to tie to a beam," Connie says.

Everyone laughs again. Sasha shoves a few more pieces of bread into her mouth then she stands up and walks several yards away from the table.

"I'm going to go check on the warriors. See you guys back at HQ."

Sasha's ring releases a tiny blade and she cuts her thumb with it. Lightning strikes down and the Marleyans (including Niccolo) gasp as a 14-meter Titan appears in Sasha's place. Her Female Titan form is a lot like Annie's (exposed muscle and bone-fingers), except her hair is long and brown (it is no longer in a ponytail but falls to her shoulders), her eyes are red, and there is only two muscle linings connecting the slits on her cheeks located on the edges of her mouth, giving her a wide and creepy "smile."

Sasha turns around, she notices Niccolo staring at her. It was a mixture of fear (like his comrades) and also astonishment at the structure of her Titan form.

"WE TALK LATER," Sasha says to him before she jumps and runs off into the forest.

"Woah, she's fast," Griez says.

"That's Sasha," Connie says.

"Alright, everyone get back to work," the Paradisian soldier in charge of the operation says.

As Niccolo works, he thinks back to what Sasha said about whether or not he really wanted to be a soldier. The more he thought about it, the more it seems like he became one just because it was expected of him. He even remembers his parents trying to persuade him away from other career choices when he was a kid. He once mentioned he was interested in cooking when he was a little boy, his dad brushed it off as a nice hobby. He said he wasn't sure about his career as a teenager, his dad asked him what would be better than the military before listing the benefits including security and respect compared to other jobs.

He also thought about Sasha herself. Her beautiful face, her adorable smile, her cute laugh. The way she ate his food…well the way she stuffed herself was unflattering but something about her compliments and the way how much she enjoyed it made him feel good inside. He even had to admit her Titan form was good, for a Titan. He liked the shape of her figure, and he wondered for a moment how she would look as a human naked…he pushed those perverse thoughts out of his head. Aside from the fact that she is a teenager, Sasha is an Eldian, a Paradisian, a Titan, she even apparently tried to eat her friend, a glutton and far from reserved. Basically, the exact opposite of everything his mother would approve of. And yet…

"Hey, Niccolo."

Niccolo sees Captain Koch gesturing for him to come towards him. Niccolo gets closer and captain Koch starts whispering.

"You know how that Devil-girl said she wanted to speak with you?"

"Yes, what about it?" Niccolo asks.

"Well, I was thinking, how about you invite her over for dinner?" Captain Koch says. "Or meet her wherever she wants. She loves your food and I think she might be a bit smitten with you."

"You think so?" Niccolo asks.

"Yes, so here's what you need to do. Make her a nice meal. Sweet talk her a bit. And try to get as much information out of her as you can."

"You want me to seduce a teenage girl for information?" Niccolo says, disgustedly.

"No, I want you to seduce a Devil,'' Captain Koch says. "Which I am sorry about. I recognize that the idea of an Island Devil having the hots for you might not sit well, but we need as much information as we can to report to Marley when the chance arises."

"She's a teenager," Niccolo says.

"You're still a teenager too, you're nineteen. It's not that weird. Just don't sleep with her." Captain Koch scoffs. "Like I need to tell you that. What sane person would lay with a devil. Especially one that eats like a pig."

Niccolo, for reasons he won't place, feels angered by that statement.

After his talk with captain Koch, Niccolo approached Connie and Jean. He told them that he is free for whenever Sasha wants to talk to him and even suggested that he could make her dinner. They said they would talk to the commander about it.

The Next Day,

Connie and Jean told Niccolo that he and Sasha will be meeting for a talk at the scouts HQ cafeteria. He was allowed to use the kitchen to prepare anything he wanted ahead of time but their conversation was going to be monitored. When Niccolo told Captain Koch, he admitted it wasn't ideal but at least he could still ask some questions.

It is now 3:30, about an hour before he would be escorted by the Garrison to the scouts headquarters. That way he would have at least an hour to prepare some food for Sasha. He is in his room, rehearsing some of the questions he was going to try and ask her. Granted, he was sure now he wouldn't be able to ask ALL of them, but he could still try to word them differently to be discrete.

His comrades had left the tents to give Niccolo the privacy he needed to rehearse. So they were either down by the ocean or within the restricted levels of the forest. As Niccolo combs his hair, hears someone call his name and he sees Sasha standing at the entrance.

"Sasha?"

"Hey, Niccolo," Sasha waves. "Hope you don't mind me coming here early. I just wanted to talk to you in private without any eavesdropping. Thought it would make you more comfortable."

"Oh, uh, thanks," Niccolo says.

Niccolo clears his throat to ask the questions he rehearsed with Captain Koch. But Sasha speaks first.

"So, about your job."

"Huh?" Niccolo says, confused. "Oh right, as I was saying I am quite content in my position."

"There's a difference between content and happy, Niccolo," Sasha says. "If you became a soldier just to please your family you're not really living."

"Well, why did you become a soldier?" Niccolo asks.

Sasha chuckles a bit.

"I actually had the opposite reason than you. I'm from Dauper, it's a hunting village in Wall Rose. Or, at least it was. You see when Reiner and Bertolt broke the Walls a whole lot of refugees from Wall Maria came flooding in. There wasn't a lot of space and food, the forest we hunted in was shrinking," Sasha shakes her head in shame. "I was such a brat then. Those people needed help, but since they weren't like us I could have cared less. I just cared that they were taking our game."

"I can understand that," Niccolo says, remembering how things are in Marley.

"So my pa was willing to accept payment from the government to clear the forest so they could grow more food. They would even pay us for raising horses. But we had been hunters my whole life. I hated that things were changing. I was upset that my parents wanted to change who we are for people who mocked our lifestyle. But he said that we have to be good to others so they would be good to us."

Niccolo let those words internalize. Helping people who were different from them was unheard of in Marley. Refugees were looked down upon and treated harshly. Even after Queen Historia forced them to comply with her demands the attitude of the people didn't waiver. He never thought he would hear such a thing from a so-called Devil.

"Your father sounds like a good man," Niccolo says truthfully.

"He is."

"So what? You became a soldier to spite him?" Niccolo asks.

"I became a soldier so I wouldn't have to worry about food," Sasha says. "But yeah, he didn't want me to go but I did anyways. I mean we made up and we're good now but I'm not proud of how I acted then."

"I could never do that," Niccolo says.

Sasha sighs.

"Like I said, I was a selfish brat. But you can't always do what your parents want. Sometimes you need to do what you think is best for you. And…if things are changing, you might need to consider letting go of certain traditions."

"I…don't know," Niccolo says, then he gets angry. "But who are you to talk about my choices and thinking of others? When your kind ravaged the world!…Sorry, that was uncalled for."

Sasha sits next to him on his bed.

"I wasn't there then. Were you?"

"…No."

"Ok then, why was that even brought up?" Sasha asks with a smile.

"I don't know. I just wanted to change the subject. Sorry. Though I would just like to state that Marley is being attacked and beaten by several countries at once thanks to your Queen."

"Last I heard it was because Marley committed a lot of war crimes," Sasha says.

Niccolo recalls how he was shamed by his fellow soldiers for being against a plan that would endanger the civilians. They said "screw the enemy" and called him an idiot.

"Ok fair enough, but you also took our Titans…keeping us from using them against the world the same thing Eldia did…" he admits.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Sasha says. "Historia thought it would be better for Eldians if Marley didn't keep using them in wars like that. And already discrimination against them worldwide has gone down 10% thanks to her negotiations and actions."

"Well, good for you," Niccolo says. "I think we're getting too political."

"Right," Sasha says.

Niccolo then remembers what questions he talked about asking her with Captain Koch.

"So-"

"Do you miss-" Sasha interrupts. "Oh, I'm sorry you were talking. Continue."

"Oh no it's fine, what was your question?"

"I was going to ask if there was anyone back in Marley you miss?" Sasha asks.

"Just my family," Niccolo says. "My mom, dad, grandma, brothers."

"Oh, what are their names?" Sasha asks.

"My dad's name is Augustus, my mom's name is Julia, my dad's mothers name is Alisha, my brothers are Francesco, Antonio, and Lorenzo. I'm the youngest."

"Wow, big family," Sasha compliments. "I don't have any siblings myself. It's just me and my folks. My pa's name is Arthur and my ma is Lisa."

Niccolo smiles and nods.

"How would they feel if they saw you right now?" Niccolo asks. "Talking to the enemy. I know mine would flip."

"I think my pa would be more upset about me sitting next to a boy on his bed than anything else." Sasha chuckles. "I don't think they would mind you being a Marleyan though. My parents want peace and frankly, so do I."

"Peace," Niccolo lets out a small chuckle. "Well I don't know how many people-"

Niccolo places his hand down and accidentally touches Sasha's hand. The two soldiers look at each other and blush as they feel a flutter in their hearts. They pull their hands away and avert their eyes.

"Sorry," Niccolo says.

"It's ok," Sasha says.

Sasha could admit to herself she found Niccolo attractive. He was a tall, athletic, handsome young man. His food was phenomenal and she could now see a sweet side to him. Although his lingering racism was a bit of a turnoff.

'What am I doing?' Niccolo asks himself. 'She's a minor! And the enemy who's keeping us prisoner.'

Niccolo looks at the entrance to the tent and he sees Captain Koch gesturing him to continue pressing her with questions.

"Hey Sasha, there are a couple of things I've been wondering for a while now."

"Like what?" Sasha asks Niccolo.

"Well, for one thing, why does Prime Minister Smith have the Founder instead of the Queen?"

"For the same reason there even is a prime minister in the first place," Sasha says. "After we took down the old throne it was decided that we would make things more…democratic. That included not having a single ruler with godlike power. Even though Historia isn't the Founder she is a Royal so she can help Erwin activate the Founder when they touch."

"So he can't use the Founder without her?"

"He can still turn into a Titan, just not control Eldians," Sasha clarifies. "There is actually a rule that he and the Queen cannot come within fifteen feet of the other unless the Parliament agrees to a decision that will best benefit the people."

"I see…." says Niccolo. "So I assume they are both pretty guarded, huh?"

"Oh definitely," Sasha says. "I would go into details but THAT is confidential. What I just told you now is basic information."

"I won't tell anyone."

"Still no," Sasha sings.

"…Fair enough, so how does that affect the vow?" Niccolo asks. "Smith and Historia said that they decided the Colossi won't move, so does that mean that they CAN use them if they wanted? Like, their situation neutralizes the vow?"

"Well Erwin isn't a Reiss, so yes, that is correct

"So what happened to King Rod and the other royals?" Niccolo asks.

"That is also classified," Sasha says. "Now come on, you promised to make me dinner, remember?"

Niccolo blinks.

"Oh yes, of course."

The Marleyan soldiers who were spying on them run so Sasha doesn't see them. They hide behind a large log as Niccolo walks out with Sasha. Niccolo looks guilty as Sasha happily continues her way.

"So, Niccolo, wanna travel by Titan?" Sasha asks, raising her finger.

"By Titan?" Niccolo asks, nervously. "So would you be carrying me in my hands or-"

Sasha burst out laughing.

"Kidding! I'm kidding! That's a safety hazard. There's a car not to far from here. We're going to be escorted by the Garrison."

"Oh, ok," Niccolo says with relief.

"So, what's on the menu tonight?" Sasha asks as they walk away.

"I was thinking of making a pizza."

"I don't know what that is but it sounds good."

However, despite this, Captain Koch was pleased with the information he learned. If they could find a way to kill, kidnap, or neutralize Smith then Marley can still win. Of course, getting anywhere near him was a problem. Figuring out where Smith lived would help with that. He was also sure that there were many in the interior that didn't like that the current Queen is a teenage mother. He needed to take a page out of Helos' book and stir discord to undermine her authority. But how?

Notes: Don't worry, none of the stuff that Sasha shared with Niccolo is considered secret information. They are things that most people on the island already know so she didn't see the harm in sharing. Niccolo feels guilty but he is being pressured into doing this by his (alive) captain. Even if he is starting to rethink what he really wants and his life choices.

For more information on how the Liberians first settled into Paradis, please see the story: When Liberio Came to Paradis.

Thank you for reading. All comments are appreciated.