???: I'm... I'm sorry. I don't know much about this kind of stuff. 

(Y/n): D-Don't worry... you're doing fine. It's enough...

The young mother pulled back, her hand trembling as she clutched tightly to a roll of bandages. The mere act of breathing was enough to cause you to wince, your side ripped open by the shard of glass from the window. The woman had managed to assist in peeling away most of the glass as well as applying patches to your forehead and cheek, but your side was another scenario. 

???: Are you sure you should k-keep the glass in your side?

(Y/n): Y-Yeah.

You managed to grip onto something, trying to pull yourself up while the woman fanatically grabbed your arm and aided you. Once you managed to get to your feet and stabilize, the woman set down the bandage and scooted over to where her young son, his young eyes looking you over silently.

(Y/n): Why didn't... you evacuate?

The young woman grimaced a bit, her eyes looking angry, sad, and worried all together.

???: The streets were flooded with people. I couldn't stand the scared faces, the screams of the trampled, and it sickened me to see the businessmen getting through first...

In silence, you maneuvered over to the door of the room, opening the door slightly to look into the house. You glanced back at the two of them and had to think. Your squad was... gone... it was a damn miracle you weren't ripped in half when you hit the windowsill. But now... it would be so easy to die but Erika and her freaking words seem to aggravate you just enough to prove her right about you. But you could barely get yourself back to friendly lines, let alone keep these two alive. That's not to mention your ge- Your gear! You glanced down and looked over the gear, lowering your hands to check the components, any issue could prove deadly in this scenario, but it seems your body took the brunt of the force rather than your hips. So what do yo-

(Y/n): Let's go.

???: W-What?

(Y/n): I'll get you to the inner gate. It should only be a few blocks away.

???: Hold on. I understand what you're saying but I can't risk my child and I running out there with these monsters... and I appreciate your offer but I'd feel safer with a Garrison member than a cadet.

You had spoken before your mind was even ready. Deep down knowing you didn't want to see anyone else suffer under this attack. In some ways you were furious that the mother wouldn't take this chance to escape, why not? Just cause you're a cadet? Hell, at this point the cadets probably have more kills than the garrisons. Well, you shouldn't say that, if the score goes in reverse they have it pretty locked down. 

(Y/n): I'm... not a cadet.

???: Oh you aren't? Really?

(Y/n): Can it with the sarcasm lady. I... I saw some girl get whipped out by one of those fucking... monsters. I took her coat to give it to her family. My coat is probably somewhere at headquarters...

You really needed to cool it with the long-winded speeches, it only served to anger the bandaged side as the shard of glass every once in a while made sure its presence was known. You just needed it to cork up the wound until you could get back to headquarters and find a medic. The woman seemed skeptical but wasn't ready to act disrespectful if your story was true. 

???: Do... Do you really think we can make it? It's so far away and if the titans are already this far into Trost... imagine what a huge group of the people at the inner gate would attract...

(Y/n): I understand you're scared, but it's because you're scared... t-that... ah... that proves you want to live. So live, not just for yourself but for your son. You don't need to be another sacrifice on the part of the human race. Get out of here a-and... raise him.

After your miny inspirational speech, the two of you exchanged few words. That was to be expected as the two of your attempted to move down streets quietly, commotion elsewhere and the lack of... food... driving of the titans that had eaten your squad. You should come back and... bury what you could later. Your physical wounds however didn't provide much of a boost in confidence, as you could only properly hold one sword with your left hand while the woman's shoulder propped your right side up. 

???: Mister?

You were genuinely spooked as a new voice filled your ears. You turned to see it was the boy at the woman's side.

???: Are we gonna die?

You felt your heart drop as the mother looked ready to burst into tears. You gulped back a breath and grit your teeth softly. no child should have to go through this... not when you and so many of your comrades had. 

(Y/n): You won't die with me here. I'll... I'll keep you, your mom, and everyone else safe. But...

You trailed off, glancing around a corner before turning back to the boy, trying to put a smile on your face.

(y/n): I need you to promise to protect her too, ok?

The boy took your words and thought them over, nodding his head quickly.

???: Thank you...

The mother muttered a quiet thank you, you squeezed her shoulder lightly in reassurance before the suicide mission continued. Dipping into alleys here and there, it wasn't long before you could hear shouts and yells from up ahead.

(Y/n): The hell... the evacuation should be almost over by now...

You muttered, pulling yourself out of an alley followed by the two civilians. 

???: If you all cooperate you'll be rewarded!

(Y/n): What is this horse shit...

You felt your temper starting to flare at the sight of so many fleeing people being stopped by something. From the sight over the group, it was another one of those businessmen that the mother talked about. You pushed yourself away from the woman, gripping the blade tightly, feeling the metal handle digging into your hand and your knuckles flexed. you were going... to...

Thump...Thump...Thump.Thump.Thump.THUMP

You turned to look over your shoulder just in time to feel your heart drop. Another titan was was coming full speed down the street, flailing about as if a young girl who got confessed to, his eyes looking up into the sky, but still targeting the scared crowd. From there all hell broke loose, people trampling and pushing forward, trying to get through the inner grate before they were devoured. You glanced down at the metal blade and then your belt. Well... you could use your ODM, but that risks tearing open an already bad wound. You had a flare gun, but this titan seemed to be one of those abnormal you learned about in training. The flare might not have any effect. You took a moment to breathe in, noting the pain in your side before dancing over at the mother and son, the two of them cowering in the alley with the mother covering her young son. You knew what needed to be done.

The sight of a soldier flying into duty did little to alleviate the fears of the citizens. The cadet blades flying proudly on his back. His hands lowered to take up his grips, lowering them further to lock some blades into place.

(Y/n): I don't know if I'm crazy or stupid... maybe both? 

You muttered quietly, a small smile slinking onto your face before being replaced with a smirk.

(Y/n): Come on!

You declared loudly to the titan, its eyes readjusting to look at you directly. The monster opened its maw and you could see into its throat, a row of teeth waiting to crunch down onto your bones with a sickening crack. The titan lunged forward and you could barely maneuver out of the way. You could feel a blast of its repulsive breath on your face as you twisted your body to the left, lifting your right blade to lodge it into the creature's cheek. In a few seconds, you managed to stabilize and then lift your other blade, letting out a yell as you dug your other blade into its eye. The titan didn't let out a roar or grunt as you had expected, it simply seemed annoyed as it lifted its hand to smack you against its face. However, the beast didn't get a chance to do so as it started collapsing forward. Releasing the blades from your grips, you flipped your legs upward, landed on the back of the titan's head as it crashed into the ground. 

???: Thanks for slowing it down.

A monotone voice filled your ears as you turned. Your tired (E/c) eyes met the grey ones of a girl you believed you knew. From her shoulder-length black hair, the red scarf. This was Mikasa Ackerman. The number one of your regiment and the guardian of Jeager.

(Y/n): I'm just glad you killed the thing. I didn't really have a plan there.

Mikasa: What... is he doing?

You turned to see the cause of the halted evacuation. It was a pudgy, balding man, barking orders and demanding you and Mikasa assist him in getting his wares through the gate.

Mikasa: Our comrades are dying right now... because the evacuation is lagging, they're fighting titans and dying.

???: Course they are! It's your duty to offer your lives to protect citizens and their property, is it not?!

You wanted to snap at the man but Mikasa beat you to it. You wanted to give her support but felt a chill run down your spine. You felt... wet. that titan must have gotten its slobber all over you when it snapped at you. You looked down and lifted your coat only to feel yourself go paler than you were before. Your entire left side was coated in a deep red. It seems you reopened the wound and it bled through the bandages and your olive shirt. This... isn't good. this isn't good at all. There are no medics on the elite team as far as you knew and if you couldn't get to one soon it didn't matter how many bandages you had. As Mikasa got the cart to move back to allow for the citizens to flow out, you slipped off the titan's head, holding your side. 

???: Thank you so much!

You were overwhelmed by the young mother from before, her arms wrapping carefully around your shoulders.

(Y/n): It's... no problem...

She pulled away enough to look down and could see the liquid dripping from your jacket.

???: It reopened didn't it? When you went to go blind that thing?

You nodded your head, chuckling a bit.

???: I left the bandages behind.... do you think you could-

Mikasa: (Y/n).

The woman took a moment before wrapping the leather jacket you wore compactly against your side, forcing your arm against your side.

???: You get yourself back to a real medic alright?

You nodded softly as the woman pat your shoulder and took hold of her child's hand. The boy walked as close to you as he could in his mother's grip.

???: Thank you, mister! I'll keep my mom safe as you said!

You couldn't find the strength to speak, simply smiling and ruffling the boy's hair. He smiled before he and his mother rushed through the gate. 

Mikasa: Where did your squad go?

Mikasa approached you, seemingly taking this moment to take a break in between killing titans and dealing with leches like that fool. 

(Y/n): I... I'm the only survivor of my squad. T-Titans broke... through and slaughtered us. It's a miracle-

Mikasa didn't let your finish your sentence as she moved closer, setting her hand on your shoulder.

Mikasa: You don't need to continue, I can tell you're hurt.

(Y/n): I don't want to lie to you so... yeah. I got cut pretty bad. 

Mikasa nodded and bit and could see the small puddle at your feet, her eyes widening softly.

Mikasa: Go back to headquarters and get patched up. 

You wanted to speak up but knew you wouldn't make it trying to play a hero in front of her. 

(Y/n): I'll do that. You keep yourself safe alright and...

You trailed off, pulling out carefully pulling out two of your blades.

Mikasa: No. You'll only have one left.

(Y/n): I'll be fine. I was only ever good at ODM so you use these for something good alright?

You let out a cough that felt gruesome, mentally slapping yourself for speaking for so long.

(Y/n): J-Just.. keep yourself... safe alright?

Mikasa nodded once more as you set off. You didn't want to use your ODM again but as long as you out of sight of any titan stragglers you should be fine... should be anyway.

The rain seemingly came out of nowhere, pouring down on you and your gear as you cursed yourself for not grabbing a cloak. You should have headed straight for the headquarters but the screams of scouts and civilians alike kept drawing you away, only to arrive late each time. Soaked to the bone by this point, you continued on toward your objective, feeling your breaths grow shorter in the cold rain. You feel fatigue setting in, your muscles growing ever weaker as you raced for the headquarters. You knew your gas tanks wouldn't carry you for much longer.

???: (Y/n)!

You heard someone call out your name and looked just in time to see someone wave at you. You wiped your eyes of rain droplets and looked again in time to see... her... i-it.. it was Sasha! Your heart lept in your chest, your body warming a bit as you noticed her and Conny sitting not too far away from her, scrambling to his feet as they seemingly were surprised at your survival. Blinded by joy, you diverted your hooks toward their roof, seeing that they along with multiple cadets had gathered to seemingly recoup from the day. You just needed to see them again... but you didn't want to just see them, you wanted to hang out again. You finally got to make friends after so many years and you weren't going to leave their lives up to fate. Your feet crunched down on the roof, Sasha approaching you quickly and you could see the mix of surprised, depressed, and relieved faces on the others. Many of their friends probably didn't make it while you rolled up and managed to survive. 

Sasha: You're soaked! W-Where is your squad? Are they foll-

You fell forward against the brown-haired girl. She let out a yelp in surprise as you wrapped your arms around her shoulders, pulling her against your chest.

Sasha: (Y-Y/n)?!

(Y/n): I'm so happy... you made it. You... Conny... all of you...

You muttered out.

Sasha was surprised by your sudden hug but was more than happy to return it. As far as everyone knew, you had been killed along with all of the other squads in your area of the city. She hated the thought that you could have died, but knew this was the risk of fighting titans and she was happy you made it. She lifted her hands and pressed them against your chest, sliding them around your back. She felt you lift your head and speak.

(Y/n): L-Let me.. ruffle your hair, Conny.

Conny: Aw come on you just got back and you want to do that?!

Sasha chuckled softly as she pulled away from your hug and glanced down at her hand only to feel her body freeze. Her hand was coated in a deep shade of red. She knew that color very well as well as what it was.

Sasha: (Y/n) Are you...

Conny: Sasha what's wrong?

She watched you wobble a bit before you spoke.

(Y/n): I just need to rest...

You spoke, your eyes sliding closed before you fell forward fully. Sasha managed to catch you and Conny assisted her, a few others coming over to check you out. The majority of them calling out your name to keep you awake long enough to check out the wound.

???: (Y/n)!

???: (Y/n) come on!

???: S-Stay with me, please!