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

It is early in the morning. Work hasn't begun yet and Captain Koch is meeting with a few of his loyal Marleyans while the rest are sleeping.

"Niccolo didn't ask a single question we went over yesterday," Koch says. "You were right, Griez, I think he's been compromised."

"I always figured out if all of us Fischer would be the one to go soft," says Griez.

"He's not the only one. About half of us are getting friendly with the enemy."

"Soft is one thing, but wanting to lay with a devil is another," says another Marleyan.

"Maybe we need to just set Nikki on the right course again," Griez says, cracking his knuckles.

"No, Griez," Captain Koch says. "That will just make him turn against us more. We need to convince Niccolo, subtly."

"How?"

"I have some ideas," Captain Koch says. "I heard Sasha and some of the others talking about taking days off soon."

The Day Before

Niccolo had returned to work on the ships along with his fellow captives. But Captain Koch, who had been sent to fetch more materials, was keeping an eye on Sasha, Connie, and Jean from a distance. Connie was showing Jean a trick he learned where a shifter can just prick his finger, and then shoot a single stream of lightning at a target while healing instead of turning full Titan. They were taking turns, shooting nearby trees and making scorch marks in the bark, while Sasha was staring at Niccolo.

"Yo! Sasha!" Connie called.

"Huh? What?"

"Wanna get in on this?"

"You're the best shooter in our squad," Jean said. "I dare you to try and hit that leaf."

Jean pointed to a leaf that is flying in the wind. Sasha shrugged, bit the end of her finger, aimed her bleeding finger at the fast-moving leaf, and fired a strand of lightning perfectly at the center of the leaf. It burnt in mid-air and fell to the ground. Sasha then repeated the same process, firing lightning perfectly at every one of the burn marks that Connie and Jean made.

Captain Koch was greatly intimidated, both by this creative use of Titan power and her aim. He realized that going against her will be quite difficult.

"Hmph, show off," Connie muttered.

"So guys I was thinking," Sasha said. "Pretty much all the ships we've purchased have been Paradis re-branded and thanks to our Titans the ships the Marleyans are working on are almost done. So I guess they will be placed in different jobs around the island."

"Yeah, I guess," Jean said.

"Don't worry, Sasha," said Connie. "We already have Niccolo set up to work in the cafeteria at headquarters."

"Actually…I was hoping to talk to Eren and have him talk to Historia about that," Sasha said. "There are still a lot of buildings in the Walls that are unoccupied, even with the refugees coming in. A lot of them are being turned into restaurants."

"Yeah," said Jean. "Have you tried the new Hisurese restaurant? Pieck recommended that I try it and the rice balls were phenomenal."

"Really?" Sasha asked. "Hmm, I'll have to try that. Anyway, I was wondering if…Historia could give one of them to Niccolo. Let him run it himself. While being watched, of course."

Captain Koch raised an eyebrow in surprise. Connie and Jean were also shocked.

"Wait, you don't want him at the base?" Connie asked. "He could cook for you every day."

"Yes, that was…very tempting," Sasha admitted. "But then he would be surrounded by people who hate him. He can have some of his friends work with him. It would be nice. Make him feel like less of a hostage, you know."

'Huh? So the devil girl actually likes him,' Koch thought. 'This is bad. If Niccolo finds out…'

Jean smirked at her.

"You like him, don't you?"

"What? Nooo!" Sasha said in an obviously fake voice. "I'm just being nice. He's given me good food. I'm grateful."

"So grateful that you stare at him when he's not looking?" Connie asked, which caused Sasha to blush.

"Ugh, it's stupid," Sasha said. "I know, I know, he's a Marleyan so I shouldn't."

"Oh, well, there's nothing wrong with being attracted to someone as long as it doesn't interfere with your work," Jean said, a little tense.

The thought of a dark-haired beauty that once held the Cart Titan appears in his mind.

"Relax, Niccolo's a cool guy," Connie said. "Your secret's safe with us. It is a shame though. I do think you two would make a cute couple if it wasn't for…you know, THAT."

"Maybe try selling your point as a restaurant specifically for the military," Jean said. "It will be a good cover for your real reasons, and make it more likely to happen."

"Also, maybe ask Niccolo before you tell him," Connie said. "Maybe he's tired of cooking."

"Ok, I'll ask him when I see him again tomorrow," Sasha said. "Although I won't be back for a week. I'm taking some time off to visit my family. I wanna meet the "Kaya" my mom talks to much about."

Present

It is still early in the morning. Niccolo has woken up but he still has an hour before the Paradisian engineers arrive and he has to get to work. In the meantime, Niccolo is washing the dishes he didn't finish last night. He is feeling anxious. Luckily the captain hadn't spoken to him yesterday but he was certain Captain Koch would be confronting him soon. He didn't ask Sasha a single thing that gave them useful information. He couldn't, he was tired of using her like this. But he knew that none of his fellow captives would approve.

"Niccolo."

Niccolo jumps when he hears Captain Koch say his name. He turns around and sees his captain approaching him.

"Captain Koch!" Niccolo exclaims. "Listen, I'm sorry I didn't ask any of the things you asked me to. It just didn't feel like the right time, and I didn't want to be suspicious, and-"

"It's all right," Koch says. "I'm not mad at you. If you ask too many questions at once it would be suspicious. I understand."

Niccolo sighs in relief.

"Oh, well, thank you."

"Some of us were worried that you'd turned traitor," Koch says, sitting at the table. "But I knew better. After all, you love your mom and grandma. I know you wouldn't dare be attracted to anyone that they would disprove of. Granny would probably have a heart attack if she saw you with her."

Niccolo teases.

"And that's not taking into account how your dad and brothers would react. Plus it's not like our home country and everyone you've ever known is depending on you to help us defeat Paradis so we can fix our country. It's not like we're in a war or anything."

Niccolo knows what Koch is doing. But he still thinks back to his childhood friends and family back in Marley. Paradis is responsible for a large amount of their economic and social turmoil right now.

"Granted, Stockholm syndrome is a thing," Koch continues. "But I'm sure you're smart enough to not let it happen to you. Besides, I think that we got the wrong impression of Sasha."

"What do you mean?" Niccolo asks confused.

"I overheard Sasha talking to those other two. What are their names? The new Armored and Beast Titans."

"Jean and Connie," Niccolo corrects.

"Right, them. I heard Sasha tell them that she isn't attracted to you and that she only sees you for the food."

Niccolo's eyes widen. He feels a lump in his throat and his heart cracks.

"You're lying."

"I'm not," Koch says, stretching the truth. "She said that her liking you would be stupid since you're a Marleyan."

Niccolo isn't sure he believes him, but he listens to his captain anyway.

"Yeah, I'm disappointed too," Koch says. "I was hoping to get more information out of her but I think it's good that we stopped when we did. You were right, if we kept pressing it would have gotten suspicious. So, we're good. You don't have to worry about getting new information anymore. Oh, just to warn you, I also overheard that they are going to try and set you up as a cook somewhere."

Koch leaves Niccolo alone and Niccolo resumes washing dishes. He wonders if Koch was telling the truth, but he denies it. Koch walks over to Griez, who is watching from the side.

"Ok, now you and the boys remind Niccolo of the she-devils faults and Eldians in general," Koch says. "He'll be over her in no time. We also need to tell a few more half-truths when the devils arrive."

"But now we won't be able to get any new information," Griez reminds his captain.

"I don't think we need too now," says Koch. Honestly yesterday was just to test Niccolo's loyalty. Turns out the Good Eldians have sources of their own. I exchanged letters with one of their kid-messengers last night. We've learned enough."

"Like what?"

"Like where one of the shifter's families lives."

Dauper Village; Wall Rose (One Month Prior)

Gabi Braun was feeling a mixture of both determination and fear. Thanks to notes exchanged with the Good Eldian Society and the Marleyan captives, her aunt Karina had learned the location of one of the families of the Devil Titan shifters. Specifically, the family of the Female Titan (Sasha Braus) lives in Dauper Village in Wall Rose. Their allies in New Liberio infiltrated Dauper and found out that the Braus' employ children of both Liberian and Paradisian heritage to work on their ranch. It was decided that the New Eldian Society would send one of their children into "enemy" territory to spy on the Braus' and wait for an opening. However, no one felt comfortable willingly sending their children to work for Devils. Gabi volunteered, despite her parent's protests. She admitted that, while she is scared, she is willing to do whatever she can to atone for her cousin's weakness. Her brother, Ben, Immediately volunteered to go with her to look after his eight-year-old sister.

Upon telling her friend Falco, the boy immediately begged his parents to let him take time off from school so that he could look out for her (though he left out the part about Gabi only going to the Braus Ranch for a mission).

Ben, Gabi, and Falco were in the back seat of a car being driven by a New Liberian couple allied with the Brauns. She was clutching the armband in her pocket, which her aunt told her was ok to remove for the sake of their mission.

"Don't worry, kids," said Ben. "I'll protect both of you. No devils putting their hands on my little sister and her friend while I'm around."

"I don't think we're in any danger," said Falco. "I've met a lot of Paradisians at school and they are nice. Well, most of them. There's this one group of kids that doesn't like me, but that's because they lost their parents when the Walls fell, so I get it."

"Don't justify them, kid," said the man driving the car. "A devil is a devil."

"What he said," said Ben, bitterly. "They turned the world to hell 100 years ago and ruined Marley today. The less of them the better."

"I honestly don't know why you volunteered to come with us, Falco," said Gabi. "Your family isn't part of the Good Eldian Society, but I'll protect you."

Ben shared a look with the drivers.

"I wish your parents hadn't sent you to devil school," Ben told Falco. "Me and Gabi have continued to be taught by our Liberian teachers."

"I'm not sure they have qualifications here," said Falco.

"It's better than being surrounded by Devils and brainwashed into turning our backs on Marley," said Gabi.

"Well don't worry, Gabi," said Ben. "We'll get close to the Braus', look for a chance to take them to New Liberio, and use them as leverage to lure the Female Titan in."

"And then we can lure in the rest of the shifter devils," Gabi said enthusiastically. "I'm gonna be the Armored Titan and smash through the Walls all over again."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, kid," said the woman in the front seat. "They took down the Warriors when they got here. Even with the shifters we will need to plan everything carefully. But it's a start."

Falco shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He never shared the "Kill! Kill!" mentality when it came to Paradisians (or any enemy of Marley really) that was encouraged back home. And being on this island, making some Paradisian friends (despite the rough patches), and hearing the full story killed whatever prejudice he might have had at all. He really wished that Gabi and her family would let it go, but the fact that they honestly believe that Marley will love them once the "devils" are gone prevents them from doing so.

The car came to a stop in front of the Braus Ranch.

"We're here," said the driver. "Now do you kids remember what your names are?"

"I'm David Miller, son of a butcher in West Rose."

"And I am his little sister, Thea," said Gabi.

"And I am their younger brother, Tristen," said Falco. "You, our parents thought that it would be good to get some work experience. So here we are."

"Good," said the man. "So remember, look to see if they will be planning to travel to another town soon. Or convince them to do so by whatever means."

Gabi and Ben nodded in confirmation. Falco only nodded begrudgingly.

They got out of the car and walked up to the ranch. They saw several kids of all ages brushing the horses or feeding them. One kid was literally trying to make a horse drink water. By pulling his head toward a bucket in front of him. They saw a man with a short beard and parted hair, knelt and pulling potatoes.

"Er, excuse me, sir," the driver said. "Are you Mr. Braus?"

The man stood up and faced the couple and three children.

"Yeah, that s' me. Artur Braus. An who mi'te yal be?"

Ben, Gabi, and Falco were briefly surprised by his way of speech. That was a South Marleyan accent. Though they supposed it made sense since the Eldians on this island originally fled from Marley. However, Ben and Gabi didn't let that get to them. They were still different from Marleyans after all.

"I'm Anton Miller, and this is my wife Sharron," said the man. "And these are my three lovely children, David, Thea, and Tristen. We'd like for them to work at your ranch for a while. Nothing teaches children responsibility like some good honest work."

"And I'm here to watch my little siblings," said "David"/Ben.

"Well, I rekon thats mi'ty good of yal," said Mr. Braus. "If you would come inside, we can process the paperwork. Necessary stuff for the interior."

"Of course."

After filling out the paperwork with false information, "Anton" and "Shannon" left their "children" with the Braus'. They were then approached by Lisa Braus and given their itineraries.

"So, here is how it works here. We get up at 5:30 in the morning where you and the other kids will have breakfast prepared by me and Artur and take turns bathing. After that, we will assign you something to do. Your work will include shoveling hay, feeding or brushing the horses, or working in the gardens. Lunch is at 12:00. Dinner is at 6:00 and then you will be done for the day. No leaving the premises without permission. And, of course, you will be given fifteen-minute breaks every two hours. If you have any questions or help, you can contact me, Artur, or Kaya."

"Um, whose Kaya?" "Tristen"/Falco asked.

"Over there," said a girl in a pink dress with long blonde hair off to the side. "I'm the Braus' apprentice."

"So she's a devil then," "Thea"/Gabi whispered to "Tristen"/Falco.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Braus, but could we possibly get a list of which children are from Marley?" "David"/Ben asked.

"No, sorry," Lisa said. "Everyone's ethnicity is private here. But you are free to ask and share with your fellow workers."

"You can't discriminate against someone if you don't know they are different, right?" "Thea"/Gabi asked.

"Yes, that's what we're hoping for," said Lisa. "Although we also believe that no one should have to share any personal information that they do not want to."

"Of course, we understand," said "Tristen"/Falco.

"One more thing," said Kaya. "Boys and girls will be sleeping separately, obviously. I hope you enjoy your stay."

Gabi's eyes widened. That meant that she would end up sleeping, alone, possibly surrounded by devils that could snuff her in her sleep at any moment.

"Um, excuse me," "David"/Ben said. "As Thea's big brother, I think she would feel more comfortable sleeping with me. She has really bad nightmares and I'm normally the one who calms her down."

"She's also very nervous around people she doesn't know," "Tristen"/Falco said.

"If Thea has any nightmares you are free to come into her room and soothe her," said Lisa. "But she will be sleeping with the other girls."

Gabi's face became filled with dread

Later, while Gabi was shoveling hay she looked around for anyone she recognized from Liberio and, to her dread, she saw her old neighbor Mia Friess. A brunette little girl with a green dress. Gabi walked up to her as she carried buckets of water for the horses. She called her name and Mia turned around.

"Mia."

"Huh? Gabi?" Mia asked. "Why are you here?"

"Shush!" Gabi said. "It's Thea Miller, here. I'm glad that I finally found someone from home."

"There's lots of people from Liberio here too," Mia told her. "You just didn't notice them because none of them were in the Warrior Program. Also why "Thea"?"

"Never mind that," Gabi said. "You need to help me identify all of our fellow Marleyans. My brother and fellow candidate Falco are here too. I can introduce you to them."

"Wait, are you trying to pull something?" Mia asked, critically.

"...No?"

"Yes, you are! Seriously, Braun, this place is great! Don't ruin this for the rest of us just because you wanna be Marley's lapdog."

Gabi growled. Their two families never got along due to their conflicting beliefs regarding Marley. While the Friess' kept their thoughts to themselves in public, her family could hear their blasphemous feelings toward the Marleyans through the walls. Gabi's parents would have reported them years ago if Mr. Friess hadn't paid for her father's knee operation after an accident at work. Though they still hated each other.

"First of all, I am NOT planning something," Gabi lied. "Second, you don't like the Island Devils either."

"That was before I came here," said Mia. "And they forced Marley to give our people freedom while taking us to a place where we aren't called Devils ourselves. Why can't you appreciate that? Isn't that what you guys always wanted?"

"Well, yes, but Eldia-"

"There is no Eldia anymore!" Mia shouted. "This is Paradis! And if Marley wants this island dead just for what Eldia did a long time ago, what makes you think they are gonna spare us?"

"Because…"

Gabi thought back to the Marelyans on the docks who were scornful too her despite her promises to help them. She recalled the points that the refugees and even some of her fellow Liberians (including former soldiers) made about Marley's hypocrisy in using Titans and the unlikelihood that they would ever truly be granted freedom. But she also recalled all the good points that her aunt and parents made to talk her out of it. How the guards back in Liberio and her commander were descent to them and that they just need to earn more merits so that decency spreads to other Marleyans.

'Marley didn't give Eldians freedom because they forgave us, they did it out of fear of this island,' Gabi thinks, repeating her families words. 'We won't earn true acceptance until we atone for our sins by destroying what's left of Eldia. Even if they call themselves something else.'

But she couldn't tell Mia that.

"You may have a point," Gabi lied, and Mia softened. "Falco feels the same way. That's why he convinced me and Ben to come here so we can really get to know Paradis. Mr. Braus has a South Marleyan accent, so maybe we're not so different. I still don't trust this place, and I still hope that soon Marley will rescue us and bring us back to our TRUE home. But Falco says we can trust a few de-Paradisians here and I trust Falco. So, despite my better judgment, I'm trying to give this place a chance. But can you PLEASE not tell anyone who I really am? If people find out I'm related to the person who broke down Wall Maria I might not last long."

Mia, convinced, sighed.

"Ok, Thea, I promise to keep your secret," she said.

"Oh, thank you, Mia," said Gabi. "Through, I would still like help identifying our Marleyan-Eldians and….'good' Paradisians, please."

"Sure, we can talk during lunch," Mia said with a smile. "You're in for a treat, Mrs. Braus makes a killer stew."

Gabi tensed.

"Good stew!" Mia clarified. "I meant that it's really good! I eat it all the time and I'm fine. You should probably get back to work."

"Right."

Paradis Docks, 851-Present

Samuel watches the Marleyans work in disgust. How he wishes that Historia would just let them be eaten by Titans instead of keeping them on THEIR island. They could turn into white Titans (through a special Titan serum) then infiltrate Marley donning their faces. They could learn so much and tear apart the country from the inside. But instead, they are stuck here as captives. While he's glad they are atleast being put to work serving the future new Eldian empire, Samuel still thinks they should be put down when the job is done I stead of relocated. He wants them gone more than he wants Bertolt (the guy who almost killed him) dead, but atleast the latter is an Eldian. He wishes that Dina would just overthrow the girl already. But, personally, who he hates most is that chef Niccolo. He came here as a spy and now the woman he loves, loves him back. He tries telling himself that Sasha only liked him for his food, but that's not all she talks about with him. Samuel clenches his hand. If it wasn't for the other guards he would sock Niccolo in the mouth.

"Um, excuse me, Samuel was it?"

Samuel sees one of the Marleyans whose name he never bothered to learn approaching him. Daniel snarls and places his hand in his electric rod.

"That's Officer Linke-Jackson to you, Marleyan."

"Ok, Officer Linke-Jackson," says the Marleyan. "I have some concerns about one of my own."

"Don't care, deal with it yourself."

"It's about Niccolo Fischer."

Samuels eyes narrow and he frowns.

"What about him?"

"Well…"

Kess remembers the lies that Koch told him to say. He didn't want too, but his captain reminded him that no good can come out of Niccolo getting "close" with the enemy. Kess wasn't sure why his captain ordered him to say this to THIS guard specifically, but Kich said it was either this or they would have to "re-educate" Niccolo. Haze-style.

"I overheard Niccolo say that he loves Sasha Braus abd he's going to confess to her. I was wondering if you had any ideas on how to break them up."

Samuels face twitches into a deep scowl. His nose crunches and he clenches his teeth. His eyes look like he wants to kill someone. And Kess deeply regrets his actions. He thought that since the guards aren't allowed to hurt them they could talk to Sasha and Niccolo in a calm rational way. But this one seems particularly aggressive.

"Uh, you can just talk to Sasha and make sure she doesn't feel the same way," Kess suggests. "Or I can talk to Niccolo."

"No, I'll do that."

Samuel pushes past Kess and heads toward Niccolo's tent. He immediately regrets his decision.

Niccolo comes to a decision as he drys a fork. He decides that he is going to talk to Sasha and ask her how she feels (in private). He hopes at the very least that Sasha likes him as a friend. Honestly, it's the best he could hope for given their circumstance. He is sure that Koch was lying before to mess with him. Though he wasn't wrong that his family wouldn't approve. He himself isn't sure about his own feelings but he knows that he cares about Sasha and-

"You!"

Niccolo's thoughts are interrupted when Samuel grabs him by the back of his collar and throws him to the ground. Sasha looks up and sees Samuel glaring at him, who then picks up a cutting knife. Niccolo tries not to tremble in fear.

"What do you want?" Niccolo asks. "I haven't done anything."

'Unless…' Niccolo thinks. Oh no! Did he find out what Koch was making me do? Using Sasha to gather information!?'

"Don't lie!" Samuel shouts, making all the Marleyans and Eldians in the area look over at them. "I know what you were trying to do! You were gonna tell Sasha you have feelings for her!"

'Oh that, phew…'

Niccolo sighs.

"Wait, how do you-"

Samuel kicks Niccolo in the stomach. The Marleyan falls over in pain.

"Doesn't matter!"

"That's enough, Linke," another guard says.

Samuel ignores him and picks Niccolo up by the collar. He brings Niccolo's face to his.

"Don't even bother, because I know what she's gonna say," Samuel says/lies. "The only reason she bothers visiting you is your food. She's a glutton. You're a good chef. That's it!"

"N-no! T-that's a lie!" Niccolo shouts. "We're still friends."

"Friends? Ha! Why would Sasha be friends with you. Even if she wasn't already with me."

"What?"

"Yeah, you heard me Marleyan. Sasha is my girl."

"No she's not! She always argues with you! Sasha said her family believes in peace."

"You believe that? Why would anyone on this island want peace with the people who tried to wipe them out? Sasha just wanted to make sure you'd always cook for her. She wanted to arrange fur you to work at a restraunt You came here to help your country take us down and you think Sasha got over it after a few pieces of lobster? You wanted her dead well before you got here now you think you can just decide you like her and expect her to like you back. No. You don't deserve her. You never did. So why don't you do both of you a favor, and stay away from her?"

Samuel lets go of Niccolo and walks away with a smug smile. Niccolo looks around and sees people staring at him. Both Paradisian and his fellow Marleyans. He realizes that he just became a pariah. As one of the other guards scolds Samuel for lying about being Sasha's boyfriend, Kess looks at Niccolo with regret while Koch looks pleased.

"Now, Griez, you know what to do when the shifters arrive."

"Yes, sir."

Later

It is noon. A giant horse-like Titan gallops through the woods to the docks. If it was standing up, it would be eighteen meters tall, but on all fours it is less than thirteen meters tall. It has the body of a horse with a brown mane (with short hair on the scalp). It is running on all fours, but its hands and feet are like a humans. It is Jean Kirsten in his Beast-Titan form. On his back are Connie Springer and Sasha Braus, latched onto him with ODM gear, with their hands in the air enjoying the breeze. They take turns taking the others to the beach in their Titan forms. The other day Sasha and Jean rode on Connie's chrome shoulders. But Jean stops when he sees one if the guards, Michael, waiting for them twenty feet away from where the beach starts. Jean gets on his knees and exits his Titan while Connie and Sasha slide off the steaming body.

"Hey Michael, what's up?" Connie says.

"I need to talk to Sasha."

"Yeah, sure what's wrong?" Sasha asks.

"We need to talk about your… friendship with one of the captives."

Since that incident with Samuel that morning, Niccolo had been receiving harsh glares from some of his fellow captives and the other guards. About half a hour ago, Niccolo's friend Griez approached him and suggested he talk to Sasha.

"Is Nic alright?" Connie asks.

"A rumor has started going around that the two of you are…really friendly," Michael says.

"Oh," says Sasha.

"How bad is it?" Jean asks.

"Everyone's giving him stink eye," says Michael. "I know you like better, Sasha, but can you clear the air between you and him? I think that it will make things easier for you too."

Sasha thinks for a minute. Yeah, she figured such a thing might happen. Niccolo's going to be a pariah among his fellow Marleyans and she'll be labeled a traitor. She knew she shouldn't have been as friendly with him as she was. Now she has to fix things for the both of them.

She nods at Michael. Jean and Connie lower their heads in shame.

Sasha arrives at Niccolo's cooking station, where he is dicing mushrooms. Jean and Connie talk to the other guards. As she walked bye she certainly noticed people glaring around her, and Niccolo. It strengthens her resolve. But Sasha hopes maybe someday, however slim the chance may be, when he is allowed to go home (or chooses to stay) they can rebuild their friendship.

"Hey, Niccolo. What's cooking today?"

Niccolo doesn't look at her.

"Fettuccini with mushrooms," Niccolo says, despondently.

"So, I heard about the rumors going around," Sasha says. "About you and me." Sasha sighs. "I want to apologize if I gave you the wrong impression," Sasha says loudly so everyone can hear. "I was just trying to be nice since you were stranded here!"

"Sasha…. What is our relationship exactly? Are we friends, at least?" Niccolo asks in a whisper. "I won't tell anyone else. It can stay between us."

Sasha wants to respond that they are definitely friends and wishes it could be more. But she sees Samuel and some of his friends glaring at them from afar. She also notices the Marleyans Koch and Griez glaring at her while working.

"No," Sasha says. "You're just a captive that I go to for lunch. That is all."

Niccolo recovers from his shock and then looks at her angry and hurt. He had heard it from Koch. He had heard a better argument from Samuel. But hearing it from Sasha convinced him. He groans but realizes this is probably for the best. He's a Marleyan and she's a Paradisian after all.

"But I make good food, right?"

Sasha sheds a tear but wipes it away.

"Listen, Niccolo. I also want to ask you how you would feel about working in a restaurant compared to the military base cafeteria."

'Oh, wait, I forgot to ask if he wanted to do something else," Sasha thinks.

But before she can voice this, Niccolo speaks.

"You know what, Sasha, just put me where you want," Niccolo says, dismissively. "Food will be ready in thirty minutes, bon appetite. That's Hexagonese for 'Enjoy your meal'."

Sasha sighs.

"Ok, I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you," Sasha says. "Just so you know, I'm leaving in a few days to visit my parents for a while. I hope when you come back you'll be in a better mood."

Sasha walks away, leaving Niccolo feeling guilty and dejected. He clenches his teeth and cries. Sasha walks away feeling saddened as well. Samuel runs up to her and grabs her shoulder.

"I saw everything," Samuel says. "I'm so sorry for what that filth said to you, Sasha. Want me to kick his ass for you?"

"What? No!"

"Yeah, you're right, it's not like you need me to beat him for you. If you wanted you could turn into a Titan and step on him. Hey, act like you're gonna eat him. He'll shit his pants."

Sasha frowns (even if she's still hurt and sad) as Samuel laughs. He places a hand on her shoulder.

"Seriously though, how about I take you out to dinner?" Samuel asks. "Take your mind off the jackass. Then maybe I can introduce you to some friends of mine."

Sasha shrugs Samuel's hand off, to his shock.

"You know what? I think that's the last thing I want to do."

Sasha stomps off, leaving Samuel alone, confused, and angry. While Koch and Griez are pleased. Niccolo is back on the right side and in a few days the Female Titan will be Marley's once again.

Hexagonese is this world's version of French.

All comments are appreciated, thank you.