Attack on Titan: VariousxReader | 3

Beyond and Within Chapter 3
 
 
     "J-join the Survey Corps?"
 
     Levi hummed in response, nodding his head at the same time. You looked down at the floor, thinking about what the Corporal just said. The question was so sudden, you felt like she didn't have time to think about it. If you did join, the house you lived in for her entire life would be left behind, abandoned to rot. But if you didn't, you would have to spend the rest of your time in splendid isolation from the rest of the world, waiting for visitors that rarely pass by. 
 
     "You don't have to answer right now," Levi added, after seeing the trouble you was having. "But we don't have much time."
 
     "How much time do I have?"
 
     "Two days."
 
     You nodded in agreement. You felt the Corporal glance at you, before he got up and walked away. The sound of the door opening creaked throughout the room, and then closed with a small slam. The decision felt so simple, it was either a yes or no. But, at the same time it felt like a single question test that could change your entire life. Hand tightening into fists, you stood up from the chair, and walked outside.
 
     Would you have to live alone forever, or kill giants beside your friends until they die?
 
     Help and leave? Help and stay?
 
 
 
     "You're...Mikasa, right?"
 
     Mikasa looked up from her Maneuver Gear, giving a small glare at the person who spoke, which was behind her. The person who allowed them to stay in their home, [First], was standing there, looking a bit distant and shy. Her eyes then softened in realization. She nodded at you question, and you sighed in relief. "Oh, that's good... I'm not exactly good with names."
 
     "That's fine," the Asian said. You both stared at each other for a moment, a small thick atmosphere forming between the both of you. "Do...you need something?"
 
     You felt hesitant, but then stepped a bit closer. The sounds of metal banging and kinking was heard nearby, telling that the other cadets were cleaning and washing away at their Maneuver Gear. A small breeze passed by, making the hard working Survey Corps members cooler and calmer. "N-No, I'll just wait until you're finished."
 
     "Oh, it's fine," Mikasa assured, setting down the towel she had in her hand. She reassembled the pieces in a flash, and then pushed it aside on the table. "I just finished anyways."
 
     "Are you sure?"
 
     Mikasa nodded. You, hesitantly once again, gestured for her to follow. The Asian obliged, and followed the house owner. You both walked through the dirt and grass, heading towards a tree nearby for privacy. You stopped walking, and took a deep breath. Mikasa did nothing, except wait for what you were going to do. After all, she was staying in yourr household, and she didn't want to be rude or anything after all that you've done. 
 
     "I just heard that you were the top in the graduating class and..." You trailed off for a bit, before continuing. "I was wondering why you joined the Survey Corps."
 
     "Why...I joined the Survey Corps?"
 
     "Yes. The Corporal asked me if I should join...but I'm having different thoughts on it."
 
     A moment of silence between the two women. Mikasa sighed, and glanced back where Eren and the rest were. "To be honest...I didn't really care what regiment I joined." You didn't question it, but just listened. Mikasa pulled up the scarf around her neck, over her nose, and buried her head slightly into it. "I just needed to keep Eren and Armin safe."
 
     "And if you were to decide on our own?" Mikasa stayed silent, thinking about her answer for a few moments. You murmured a small apology for the questions, but the Asian just shook her head saying that it was fine. 
 
     "I guess I would choose... the Survey Corps." 
 
     "...But why? You could of chosen the Military Police, or the people who protect the Walls! That was the Garrison right?"
     
     "Yeah," Mikasa murmured. "If I didn't have to keep Eren and Armin safe, I would still choose the Survey Corps. So I know that I'm fighting for something."
 
     "For what?"
 
     "Humanity."
 
 
     Talking with Mikasa did help you a lot, but you were still skeptical about the offer. You would be leaving your own life behind, and would start a new one inside the Walls. Eren said that staying inside the Walls was boring as fuck, but the Scouting Legion is what makes up for that.
 
     You didn't have to join. You could just escort them back to the Walls, and hurry back home. But, you would be all alone again with no company to keep. Something inside you wanted to join the Survey Corps, so that you could stay side by side with Jean, Armin, Eren, Reiner... All of them. 
 
     Then again, you lead a peaceful life where she was, and the Titans completely left her alone. There was enough food and water for her, while the Region had limited supply, with shortage of water and food here and there. 
 
     You looked up the clean ceiling in thought, the cushion underneath you bending to your shape. 
 
     You couldn't bring all the supply of various foods along on the journey, for that it'll slow all of them down because of the weight. But then they also needed to eat and take breaks, so the supply will decrease bit by bit. There still should be enough for the entire Legion when they make it back. And water as well...
 
     "Hey, [First]!" a voice called from outside the door. Kind of deep and strong, with a hint of humor.
 
     Because of laziness, you refused to get up without a good reason. "What is it Reiner?"
 
     "The Corporal wants you to join in planning." A few footsteps against the floor, and then three knocks at the door. You got up with a sigh, and headed towards the wooden door. "Hurry. The Corporal doesn't like waiting."
 
     "Yeah, yeah. I know."
 
     You reached out towards the door knob, and pulled open the door softly. The buff cadet stood right in front of you, making you slightly stiffen and jump. Reiner gave you a smirk, before giving a gesture, indicating that you should follow. You obliged, and followed closely behind. The duo went through the small hall way, and the loud voices of the rest of the group was easily heard. 
 
     "By the way Reiner, why did you join the Survey Corps?"
 
     "Huh?" Reiner gave a surprised look before giving the question a bit thought. "Well, I was originally planning to go to the Military Police with Bertolt, but something huge came up and we had to change plans..."
 
     He seemed a bit hesitant to say the last sentence, but the look disappeared almost immediately. 
 
     "If you don't mind, what happened? Sorry if I'm nosy..."
 
     Reiner, like Mikasa, stayed silent. His face shifted into a serious look, almost secretive and personal. "Sorry... It's kind of personal. Me and Bertolt don't like to talk about it."
 
     "Ah that's fine..." 
 
     "Hey, hurry up!" an impatient Jean called out to both of them. You both quickly jogged over, and took a seat on one of the chairs. The talked paused, and all of them looked up at Reiner and yourself, waiting for the duo to settle in and adjust. Levi shot both of you irritated glares, which made you gulp and tense up slightly. 
 
     "We're discussing the trip to the Walls that will be coming three days from now," Levi informed. His eyes then moved away from you guys, looking around at all of the people in the room. "The journey will take about three days if we travel straight without encountering Titans. We need to eat and sleep, so we're going to take a breaks at the safest place there is at the field. There will be shifts on surveillance." 
 
     A few people were about to groan, until Levi added: "If any of you groan and whine like a little bitch I'll have you on your shift aftertime. Including your partner."
 
     "Dammit," you could hear Eren say under his breath. 
 
     "Do we get to choose our partners?" Sasha asked, raising her hand at the same time. Connie glanced at her, with an excited expression on his face. They didn't exactly have time to hang out when they were in the Walls, but this was the chance to joke around with her. 
 
     "No. I don't want any of you Cadets fooling around when there's a possibility of getting killed."
 
     "Awww!" 
 
     "Blouse, extra time when you have your shift. And whoever I decide your partner is will have extra as well." You could tell that Sasha was about to groan again, so she delivered her a glare that made the brunette shut up immediately. You then smiled in triumphant, and nodded at the big eater. Levi glanced at the both of them, before continuing. "[Last], can we use a part of your food source for the journey?" 
 
     "Wow, the Corporal is being oddly po—" Connie began to say quietly to Jean, before he got elbowed in the ribs. Buzz Cut let out a small 'ow' as he rubbed his side in pain. "You didn't have to elbow me that ha— Ow! God!"
 
     "Sure why not?" you agreed, adding a small chuckle after seeing Jean and Connie have a small hitting contest. "I'm actually a bit low right now, so I need to pick some more in the forest..."
 
     "Stop hitting me Connie," Jean hissed.
 
     "You first!" 
 
     "Shut up!" Ymir commanded them. "Both of you." Their movement stopped in an instant, and they both regained their former position. You saw Jean sneak a glare at Connie before giving his full attention to the Corporal.
 
     "Er, sir?" Armin said nervously, while raising a trembling hand. Levi nodded in acknowledgment, and the blond's hand quickly fell back to his lap. "Since we have a large amount of things we're bringing, the luggage will be heavy without horses. The 3DMG adds on to that, so are we going to leave them behind?"
 
     Levi's face twisted in to a concerned one, barely noticeable. You sat there, waiting for him to give an answer to the smart question that Armin had gave him. The Gear was indeed important to them, and was basically one of their major life lines. It was how they survived this far, of course. Letting go of it would be like a huge weight taken off their shoulders, but the possibility of encountering Titans was still great. 
 
     No, you thought, tightening your hands into fists. You were able to keep that Titan from two days ago to pause in it's attacking, and return back to the place it came from. You saved them. I won't let them just drop one of the most important things they need. I will protect them.
 
     You won't let the Titans lay a finger on your friends. You won't even let them get near. 

     With this strange power I have, I could protect them.  
 
     And right there and then, you made your decision.
     
 
     "You survived, thank god!" 
 
     The younger you looked up at the same dark haired boy that appeared in that other dream. His face was blurred, making it hard to depict out the small details on his appearance. He then embraced you suddenly, and you could hear him sniffling. You whispered his name, but to you it was censored out.
 
     Who is he?

     "I thought you were going to die!" the boy cried out as he cried onto the top of your head. "I'm so sorry I had that happen to you!"
 
     "////, it's fine... I'm here now. No need to cry."
 
     "Right... Sorry... I just can't believe I ran away, abandoning you like that..."
 
     "We're kids ///////, it our nature to run away."
 
     "But we're not-"
 
     As the dream continued, the words began to be cut out and fizzled. It felt like things were beginning to get serious, and you weren't supposed to hear this. Was this something from the past you had forgotten? Is this one of the events that happened before you suddenly woke up with no memories in the forest?
 
     "We are. Just not y*/r a*er/ge *//an." 
 
     
     That was when you woke up to the sun shining through the windows, burning into your eyes. You quickly rolled over on contact, and blinked a few times. 
 
     You had one of those dreams again. The one with the dark haired boy.
 
     But, why did it start now? When Levi and the Cadets showed up? And what was that kid you were with saying?