41.
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CHAPTER FORTY-ONE — The Waiting Game
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...
-Trost District, Wall Rose-
Despite the comforting warmth of the afternoon sun beaming down into the quad, Jean felt nothing but discontent as he stared out into the sea of green surrounding him.
Ever since arriving in Trost, all they've done is wait.
Wait for the scouting units to return with news of diminishing Titan sightings.
Wait for news from the defensive lines.
Wait for news from the Advance Squad that went out into the territory to search for the breach.
Wait for news from Hange— who had taken a unit out with plans of confronting Reiner and Bertolt. (Something he so desperately wanted to be a part of but, unfortunately, was unable to.)
Wait for this. Wait for that.
Wait.
Wait.
Wait.
Jean wasn't oblivious. He knew that patience was a virtue he lacked. However, he felt justified in his ire at the situation. For once, he wanted— no,needed— to be out on the front lines. With his friends. But for some reason, Squad Leader Turner— Rosalie's father— thought it best he stay behind as a member of the team he would be leading.
What a hypocritical, crock of shit.
All of his friends were out there, probably fighting with everything they had— both those that were with Hange, as well as those currently missing. And he was expected to do nothing.
Nothing but wait.
Huffing irritably, Jean slouches against the stone pillar behind him; his grip tightening on his water canteen until his knuckles turned white.
"Don't get yourself into any more trouble today, alright?"
The last words he spoke to Rosalie tauntingly echoed in his mind, and his annoyance grows with every reiteration. It made him feel as if he jinxed everything that was happening now with the mere utterance. 'Idiot…!' He internally seethes, 'You better okay, damn it, or so help me…!'
Because of course, she would end up in the thick of it. It was Rosalie Turner for crying out loud. A bullheaded girl that marched to the beat of her own drum more often than not. A girl that had an unwitting penchant for trouble. A girl so fiercely loyal, that she would offer her own beating heart on a silver platter if it meant keeping those she held dear fed, happy, and alive.
'She'll be heartbroken.' Jean muses, his expression softening as he lowers his eyes; appearing crestfallen. For while Annie's exposure had stung, the possibility of Bertolt and Reiner's involvement in the betrayal cut to the bone. The three had broken everyone's trust before they even had the privilege to earn it.
Just like that, his anger returns; rearing its ugly head immediately at the thought. And Jean forces himself to take a sip of water from his canteen— needing to keep his hands busy— lest he throws it across the quad and accidentally hit someone in the process.
"I can't believe we didn't see any Titans…"
Freezing, Jean lowers the canteen from his mouth and turns his head to look back at the three Scouts gathered behind him; stomach churning with unease. "Was there really none at all?" He questions, immediately gaining their attention.
"Seems so. It's unnaturally quiet out there." The Scout who spoke before, answers grimly.
Frowning, Jean looks away. His gaze trailed up to the top of the wall as if he'd be able to see over the massive structure. "I wonder if they're still alive…" He murmurs somberly.
Thoughtful, he turns to the trio again and opens his mouth to speak— only to pause as a few nearby MP's began to talk rather loudly.
"Can you believe it? I thought this was an emergency!"
"Yeah… And everyone's just sitting around here waiting."
Waiting.
Waiting.
Waiting.
Jean scowls, both at the MP's lack of tact regarding the situation as well as the reminder of his prior agitation. However, he isn't able to dwell on it long.
"Hey, Levi…! Where are you hiding the Titans at?" One of the MP's questions lightly as he turns to the aforementioned with an easy smile.
'The audacity of this man…' Jean blanches and, based on the looks of those around to hear the bidding, he wasn't the only one to think it.
Levi, currently sitting in a nearby wagon with Pastor Nick, turns slightly in his seat to look at the man who addressed him so casually.
"Oh? You all seem so disappointed… Sorry." The short Corporal drawls out the faux apology slowly; dryly. His eyes then narrow into slits, gleaming almost dangerously in the evening light. "It's a shame you couldn't fight Titans today… But if you're looking for another chance, there are plenty of expeditions outside the Walls. How about we join forces and face some Titans together?"
To say the MP's were lost for words would be an understatement. And the one who asked the question rubs the back of his neck nervously as he eyes his fellows for help— which would never come for obvious reasons. "Uh— Well, you know… We're busy in the Interior…"
Jean doesn't bother to bite back the smirk threateningly tugging at his lips, and he knows he isn't the only one amused by the turn in conversation as a few low chortles could be heard from other nearby Scouts and Garrison alike.
It's at that moment that James makes his appearance from the throng of soldiers. Passing by, he claps the MP on the shoulder, and although the gesture appeared friendly, the wince he received in return proved it was anything but.
"Nonsense!" The Squad Leader chimes happily, his eyes contradicting the tone completely as they were dark and threatening. "We could always use an extra set of hands! And I'm sure your superiors won't mind a bit…! In fact, I'm actually heading out in a few minutes— You're all welcome to join."
By this point, the soldier was practically shaking in his boots. He opens his mouth to respond but is only— fortunately— saved as another voice carries out over the square.
"The Advance Squad's returned! Inform Commander Pixis!"
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...
"I see… So there's nothing wrong with the wall?"
"Yes, Sir!"
"As I expected…"
The Garrison Soldier paused his report then, chugging some more water from a canteen that was handed to him before glancing back to the girl standing behind him.
Sasha paid no mind to the sudden attention, too busy guzzling her water to care.
Seeing this, the unnamed soldier turned back to Pixis and Erwin and continued. "H-However, there's a bit of a situation…! We were headed back to Trost to give our report when we ran into the Scout Unit led by Section Commander Hange. Along with them, there were recruits from the 104th without their equipment. And it turns out that three of them were Titans!"
Silence blankets the group at that; effectively smothering any earnest, lighthearted notions for the near future.
Jean's stomach whirled with anxiety. Stepping forward, he stares at the man imploringly. "What are you talking about?! Are you saying there were more…?! T-Three of them?!" He questions frantically, turning to Sasha when he doesn't get an answer right away. "Who was it?!"
The gluttonous female flinches in surprise at his tone. "U-Uh, well…"
It's then that Erwin reaches out and places a hand on Jean's shoulder. "Jean, relax." He orders before turning back to the Garrison Soldier kneeling at his feet. "What happened when their forms were revealed?"
"The Scouts engaged the Colossal and Armored Titans in battle. But by the time we rejoined up with them to fight… It was all over."
Erwin, Pixis, Levi, and James all simultaneously share a look. And when Erwin silently nods decisively, Jean feels his heartbeat pick up in tempo at the implication.
They were doing it. The wait was finally over.
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